Two Suspected Ebola Cases in Yola Test Negative, Nigeria Health Agency Says

Two suspected Ebola cases in Yola have tested negative, Nigeria health officials say [1][2]. The tests were run twice before the all-clear was given [1][2]. No confirmed Ebola case has been found in Adamawa State [1][2].

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention gave the update on Saturday [1][2]. Its Director General Jide Idris issued the update in a statement [1][2]. The cases were reported in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State in north-eastern Nigeria [1][2]. The report reached the Adamawa State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre in the early hours of October 30, 2026 [1][2]. The two people had symptoms that suggested Ebola and needed further checks [1][2]. Both people were isolated while tests were carried out [1][2]. Public health steps were started at the same time [1][2].

Key facts

Samples were collected to find the cause of the illness seen in the two people [1]. The samples tested negative for Ebola virus after two rounds of testing [1][2]. Idris praised the Adamawa Commissioner for Health and his team for a proactive response [1][2]. He said the national agency will keep giving technical support to the state [1][2]. He said there is no laboratory-confirmed Ebola case in Adamawa State [1][2]. The index case confirmed earlier in the Federal Capital Territory remains the only confirmed case reported in Nigeria to date [1][2].

The earlier alert did not at first name the state involved [2]. It said two suspected cases had been found in the North-East region [2]. Contact identification and listing were under way when that alert was issued [2]. The later statement named Yola in Adamawa State and gave the negative test results [1][2]. Nigeria confirmed its first imported Ebola case on October 20, 2026 [2]. That case involved a woman who travelled from Uganda to Abuja [2]. She tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain of the virus [2].

Context

Idris urged the public to stay calm and to avoid sharing unverified information [1][2]. He urged people to use official government and public health channels for updates [1][2]. He listed symptoms that need prompt care, including fever and severe weakness [1][2]. He also listed headache and muscle pain among the symptoms to watch for [1][2]. He also listed vomiting and diarrhoea and unexplained bleeding [1][2]. People with such symptoms after a relevant exposure should seek care at once [1][2]. They should tell health workers about any relevant travel or contact history [1][2]. Idris cautioned people against self-medication [1][2]. He said people should follow the advice of health professionals [1][2].

What happens next

The national agency will keep working closely with the Adamawa State Government [1][2]. It will work through the State Ministry of Health and Human Services [1]. It will keep watching the situation with the state and other stakeholders [1][2]. It will share updates as verified information becomes available [1][2]. The negative results do not end the wider watch on Ebola in Nigeria [1][2]. Officials say early detection and clear public updates remain central to the response [1].

Verified: 2026-11-01

Disclosure: This article was drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by a human editor. Facts reflect sources available on the verified date; developing stories may have new details — check the cited sources for updates.

Sources: Channels Television | Leadership