The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) says it is monitoring 53 primary contacts linked to the country’s confirmed Ebola case, as investigations expand to include people who may have been exposed to the patient at multiple locations.

The Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed this on Sunday during a press briefing, explaining that 44 of the contacts were associated with the health facility where the patient was treated, while nine others had been identified outside the facility.

The additional contacts include three members of the patient’s household and individuals who attended to her at an emergency room she visited before arriving at the facility where her Ebola infection was subsequently confirmed.

Idris said the agency was extending its contact-tracing exercise beyond people who had direct contact with the patient to identify others who might have been exposed through the initial group of contacts.

“As of now, we have 53 primary contacts. Of these, 44 are people from that health facility where the patient was treated,” he said.

The latest figure represents an increase from the 44 contacts initially announced by the Federal Government following the confirmation of the Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on October 20.

According to information previously provided by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the patient, a woman who recently travelled from Uganda, developed symptoms on October 7 and sought medical attention on October 11 before her infection was confirmed.

The NCDC said investigations were ongoing to establish the full chain of possible exposure and ensure that everyone who might have come into contact with the patient was identified and placed under appropriate monitoring.

Explaining the process, Idris said health officials would interview each identified contact to determine whether they had interacted with other people who might also require monitoring.

“For each person, we are going to ask questions. We have to establish who they have been in contact with. If we can identify those people, they will also be monitored,” he said.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, has approved an emergency payment of N100,000 per person, weekly, for individuals placed in isolation or quarantine as part of efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

The Director-General of the agency, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja on Sunday.

“We introduced the payment after some contacts raised concerns about feeding, accommodation and how to take care of their families while under monitoring. The support is to ease their financial burden and encourage them to cooperate with health officials,” Idris said.

The NCDC chief explained that the payment was not included in the initial response plan but became necessary because of the concerns raised by those affected.

“This was not planned for, but it is an emergency. We will continue to review it as we go along,” he said.

Idris also called on state governments to prepare financially and logistically for public health emergencies.

He stressed that the responsibility for containing outbreaks should not rest on the FCT alone.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, has announced two more suspected cases of Ebola in the country.

Dr Jide Idris, the Director General of the NCDC, announced this on Sunday at a press briefing, where he emphasised that the cases are still suspected.

He explained that a suspected case in Rivers State was found negative and cleared of the disease.

The Management of Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, has announced indefinite suspension of all academic activities at its School of Post-Basic Psychiatric Nursing following the death of a nursing student.

The suspension was contained in a notification on Tuesday, signed by Coordinator of Programme/Head of School, Dr Taiwo Omirin, on behalf of the Acting Provost and Medical Director.

According to the letter contained in a report, all students of 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 sets, including Masters’ Student Nurses and those undergoing orientation, are affected and resident students were directed to vacate hostel with immediate effect.

The management said the decision became necessary following death of Student Nurse Godwin Ayodeji Taiwo, which reportedly triggered unrest within hospital community.

“This decision follows the unfortunate demise of Student Nurse Godwin Ayodeji Taiwo, which has reportedly resulted in student unrest within the hospital community,” the letter stated.

The hospital said suspension was to provide peaceful and conducive environment for thorough investigation into circumstances surrounding his death.

It urged affected students and stakeholders to remain calm and comply strictly with directive pending further communication, while regretting any inconvenience caused.

Taiwo, a Post Basic nursing student who was said to be asthmatic, died at the institution under controversial circumstances, sparking protest among fellow students who alleged negligence in handling his emergency.

His death had generated outrage and calls for investigation into healthcare response system at the school.

An eyewitness also alleged that Taiwo’s death was the second this year, raising concerns among colleagues and students.