The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has summoned African Ministers of Health for an emergency virtual meeting following Nigeria’s confirmation of an Ebola case, as the outbreak spreads across the continent.
The meeting, scheduled for October 28, 2026, is expected to focus on strengthening cross-border coordination, accelerating support for affected countries and boosting preparedness against further transmission.
Nigeria confirmed its first case of the current outbreak on Tuesday, October 20, after laboratory tests detected the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus in a woman in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
According to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the patient had a recent travel history to Uganda. Her symptoms began on October 7, and she sought treatment at a private health facility in Abuja on October 11. She is currently in isolation and receiving medical care.
The Federal Government said 44 contacts had been identified and were being monitored as authorities intensified efforts to prevent further transmission.
Nigeria’s confirmation makes it the fifth country to detect the virus since the outbreak was declared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in May 2026, according to World Health Organisation (WHO).
The outbreak has also spread to Kenya, with cases reported across Central, Eastern and Western Africa, raising concerns over the growing threat to regional health security.
In a statement issued on Wednesday from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Africa CDC said the geographical spread of the outbreak required urgent and coordinated action by African governments.
The agency said the ministerial meeting would provide an opportunity to assess the evolving situation, strengthen cooperation across national borders, accelerate support for affected countries and reinforce preparedness throughout the continent.
Africa CDC declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security on May 18, 2026. Despite sustained response efforts by member states, frontline health workers and partners, the agency said the situation now required renewed political commitment and intensified containment measures.
Director-General of Africa CDC, Dr Jean Kaseya, warned that the virus was crossing borders and called for a faster, more coordinated response.
“Ebola is crossing borders. Our response must move faster, with stronger coordination, greater solidarity and decisive political leadership. We have the expertise and the capacity on this continent. We must mobilise them together to stop this outbreak and save lives,” Kaseya said.
He stressed the need to prevent further spread, adding, “This outbreak must not spread to more countries. Every day of delay costs lives. Nigeria has Africa CDC’s full solidarity.”
The meeting is also expected to inform preparations for a summit of African Heads of State and Government under the leadership of Burundi’s President, Évariste Ndayishimiye, who chairs the African Union.
Ahead of the meeting, Africa CDC urged member states to strengthen disease surveillance, cross-border cooperation, community engagement and the protection of frontline health workers. It also called for urgent and coordinated continental action to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread.