Health

Nigeria’s Ebola patient identified as Swiss diplomat’s wife

The woman confirmed with Ebola in Abuja has been identified as the Ugandan-born wife of a Swiss diplomat, while health authorities continue investigating how and where she contracted the virus.

By Babatunde Ademola Fadewo

2 min read 0 views Updated Oct 23, 2026
The woman confirmed with Ebola in Nigeria has been identified as the 42-year-old Ugandan-born wife of a Swiss diplomat based in Abuja, as health authorities continue efforts to trace the source of her infection. Nigeria confirmed the imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease on October 20, the country’s first confirmed Ebola infection in more than a decade.

According to the World Health Organisation, the woman returned to Abuja on October 3 after spending time in Uganda from September 16. She developed symptoms on October 7 and later sought treatment at a private health facility before laboratory testing confirmed Ebola. She remains isolated and under medical care, with WHO officials reporting that some of her health indicators are improving.

Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs said the woman is married to a Swiss diplomat and is believed to have been exposed while travelling in Uganda. Her husband, who travelled with her, has been placed in isolation but had not developed symptoms as of the latest update.

The exact source of infection, however, remains under investigation. Ugandan authorities initially suggested that the patient had travelled to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where a major Ebola outbreak is ongoing, but WHO, Africa CDC and Swiss authorities said they had no verified evidence that she visited the country.

Investigators are also examining whether she may have crossed paths with a confirmed Kenyan Ebola patient at Uganda’s Entebbe airport.

Nigerian authorities have identified at least 44 contacts for monitoring as they reconstruct the patient’s movements and possible exposures. The Federal Government says there is currently no evidence of wider community transmission and has urged Nigerians to remain calm while surveillance, contact tracing and infection-control measures continue.

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Summary

The woman confirmed with Ebola in Abuja has been identified as the Ugandan-born wife of a Swiss diplomat, while health authorities continue investigating how and where she contracted the virus. The woman confirmed with Ebola in Nigeria has been identified as the 42-year-old Ugandan-born wife of a Swiss diplomat based in Abuja, as health authorities continue efforts to...

Key takeaways
  • The woman confirmed with Ebola in Abuja has been identified as the Ugandan-born wife of a Swiss diplomat, while health authorities continue investigating how and where she contracted the virus.
  • The woman confirmed with Ebola in Nigeria has been identified as the 42-year-old Ugandan-born wife of a Swiss diplomat based in Abuja, as health authorities continue efforts to trace the source of her infection.
  • Nigeria confirmed the imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease on October 20, the country’s first confirmed Ebola infection in more than a decade.According to the World Health Organisation, the woman returned to Abuja on October 3 after spending time in Uganda from September 16.
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The woman confirmed with Ebola in Abuja has been identified as the Ugandan-born wife of a Swiss diplomat, while health authorities continue investigating how and where she contracted the virus. The woman confirmed with Ebola in Nigeria has been identified as the 42-year-old Ugandan-born wife of a Swiss diplomat based in Abuja, as health authorities continue efforts to...

Who published this story?

Glow 99.1 FM published this story with Babatunde Ademola Fadewo listed as author.

When was it published?

October 23, 2026

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