Health
Nigeria Records New COVID-19 Case in Cross River
Nigeria Records New COVID-19 Case in Cross River
The Government of Cross River State has confirmed a new COVID-19 case, triggering immediate activation of emergency health protocols, surveillance operations, and contact tracing measures across affected areas of the state.
The announcement was made in Calabar by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Ayuk, who disclosed that the case involves a 53-year-old Chinese expatriate working with Lafarge in Akamkpa Local Government Area.
According to him, the patient arrived in Nigeria on March 17, 2026, and later developed symptoms while in Cross River. He was first treated at a government health facility before being referred to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, where samples were taken and tested in line with established COVID-19 testing protocols. The results confirmed the presence of the virus.
Health authorities, however, assured residents that the patient is currently stable and responding to treatment, urging the public not to panic.
The commissioner explained that the state government deliberately followed due process before making the announcement public to ensure accuracy and prevent misinformation. He added that the health system in Cross River has been strengthened to handle infectious disease outbreaks and maintain effective surveillance.
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The State Epidemiologist, Dr Inyang Ekpenyong, confirmed that the State Emergency Response Unit (SERU) has been activated immediately following the confirmation of the case. She said rapid response teams have been deployed to Akamkpa Local Government Area to support containment efforts.
She further disclosed that health officials have begun contact tracing and line listing of individuals who may have been exposed to the patient, particularly those he came into contact with during his movement within the state.
Ekpenyong noted that the last confirmed COVID-19 case in Cross River was recorded in 2022, making the current situation a renewed focus for public health surveillance. She added that investigations are ongoing to determine whether the infection was contracted locally or imported.
According to preliminary assessments, the patient developed symptoms on April 10, 2026—more than two weeks after arriving in Nigeria. Health experts say this falls outside the typical 2–14 day COVID-19 incubation period, raising questions about possible local transmission.
The World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Cross River, Dr Yewande Olatunde, has also urged continued vigilance, stressing that COVID-19 remains a global public health concern despite reduced emergency classification.
She advised residents to maintain preventive practices such as proper hygiene, early reporting of symptoms, and adherence to public health guidance to reduce the risk of spread.
State health authorities emphasized that there is currently no cause for alarm, noting that containment systems, surveillance teams, and emergency response structures are fully active to prevent any potential outbreak.
Officials reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that any suspected case of COVID-19 in Nigeria is swiftly detected, isolated, and managed to protect public health.
Nigeria Records New COVID-19 Case in Cross River
Health
NAFDAC Busts Illegal Herbal Factory in Lagos, Arrests Manager Over Fake Registration Number
LAGOS — The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a suspected illegal herbal product manufacturing facility in Agege, Lagos State, and arrested its manager over the alleged use of a falsified registration number on herbal products.
The agency disclosed the development on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, following an investigation triggered by a report published by The Guardian on October 10 concerning herbal products allegedly carrying fake NAFDAC registration numbers.
According to NAFDAC, its investigative team conducted surveillance before discovering three variants of Asheitu Adams Bitters bearing registration number A7-1827L.
However, checks through the agency’s NAFDAC Automated Product Administration and Monitoring System (NAPAMS) revealed that the registration number belonged to Greentol Cough Syrup, rather than the herbal bitters.
The agency said the discovery confirmed the fraudulent use of the registration number on the products.
During the operation, the company’s managing director and chief executive officer was reportedly absent, while the manager was arrested for further interrogation as investigations continued.
The Sun identified the arrested manager as 39-year-old Abdullazeez Saidu from Kano State. NAFDAC had not announced any court charges against him as of Wednesday.
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The agency urged members of the public to provide credible information about suspected illegal manufacturing activities to help strengthen enforcement efforts and protect consumers from potentially unsafe products.
NAFDAC provided the following channels for reporting suspected violations: its call centre numbers, 0800-1-623322 and 0700-1-623322, and the email address reforms@nafdac.gov.ng.
The discovery comes amid a series of enforcement operations by the agency against suspected counterfeit and adulterated products in Lagos and other parts of the country.
On October 14, NAFDAC reported uncovering a suspected facility at the International Trade Fair Complex in Lagos where expired alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages were allegedly being repackaged for sale. The agency also reported seizures of suspected counterfeit alcoholic drinks in other operations.
The latest operation highlights concerns about the misuse of regulatory registration numbers, which consumers often rely on when assessing whether products have been registered for sale in Nigeria.
NAFDAC has repeatedly urged consumers to verify product registration details and report suspicious products or manufacturing activities.
The agency’s investigation into the Agege facility is ongoing, and further details about the products recovered, their distribution and any potential health effects have not been publicly disclosed.
NAFDAC Busts Illegal Herbal Factory in Lagos, Arrests Manager Over Fake Registration Number
Health
FG Confirms Ebola Case in Abuja, Identifies 44 Contacts
FG Confirms Ebola Case in Abuja, Identifies 44 Contacts
The Federal Government has confirmed a case of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, after laboratory tests returned positive for a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria from Uganda.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, announced the development on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, saying health authorities had identified 44 close contacts and commenced contact tracing to prevent further transmission.
According to the minister, the patient was admitted to a private hospital in Abuja, where she received medical attention for several days before the infection was confirmed. She is currently in isolation and receiving medical care.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is coordinating the response with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the FCT Health Services Secretariat and other relevant authorities.
Public health teams are tracing and monitoring people who may have been exposed to the patient, including healthcare workers, other patients, caregivers and people who travelled with her.
The government said surveillance had been intensified, while the hospital where the woman received treatment was receiving support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.
The minister urged public and private healthcare facilities across Nigeria to remain on high alert and promptly identify, isolate and report suspected cases to the appropriate public health authorities.
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Healthcare workers were also directed to maintain strict infection prevention and control practices to reduce the risk of exposure and protect patients and medical personnel.
Pate appealed to Nigerians to remain calm, vigilant and cooperative with health officials, stressing that early detection and prompt reporting were essential to containing the infection.
He noted that Nigeria had successfully contained an Ebola outbreak in 2014 and had experience and public health systems to respond to the current situation.
The government also urged anyone contacted during the tracing exercise, including passengers who may have travelled with the patient, to provide the necessary information and comply with official public health guidance.
Ebola virus disease is a serious illness that can spread through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person who has developed symptoms, or through contaminated objects and materials.
Symptoms may include fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea. The incubation period ranges from two to 21 days.
Anyone who believes they may have been exposed and subsequently develops symptoms should contact public health authorities for guidance and avoid close contact with others while awaiting advice.
The NCDC operates a toll-free call centre on 6232, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for information and reports of suspected cases.
Nigeria’s latest case comes amid a wider Ebola outbreak affecting parts of Africa, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo and countries in East Africa. The NCDC had previously warned of the risk of imported infections and strengthened national preparedness measures.
The Federal Government said investigations and contact tracing were continuing, with further updates expected through the NCDC and the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease.
Authorities have urged the public to rely on verified information, follow official health advice and avoid spreading unconfirmed reports as efforts continue to contain the infection.
FG Confirms Ebola Case in Abuja, Identifies 44 Contacts
Health
NAFDAC Seizes Fake Drinks Worth Over ₦2bn at Lagos Trade Fair Complex
NAFDAC Seizes Fake Drinks Worth Over ₦2bn at Lagos Trade Fair Complex
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a suspected large-scale counterfeit alcoholic beverage operation at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, seizing products reportedly valued at more than ₦2 billion.
The operation, conducted on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, followed intelligence reports about suspected illegal activities within the commercial complex.
The raid reportedly led to the discovery of more than 20 illegal stores allegedly used for the production and distribution of counterfeit alcoholic beverages and other prohibited activities.
According to reports on the operation, the facilities were concealed within makeshift stores originally designated as parking spaces within the complex.
During the exercise, NAFDAC officials reportedly discovered individuals allegedly involved in blending and counterfeiting popular alcoholic beverage brands, revalidating expired and unsafe drinks for resale, and stockpiling banned imported products.
Two suspects were reportedly apprehended during the operation, while the seized products were evacuated from the premises.
The discovery has raised concerns about the possible circulation of counterfeit, expired and unsafe alcoholic beverages in Nigerian markets, particularly products repackaged to appear genuine.
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NAFDAC has repeatedly warned that the consumption of adulterated or unsafe beverages could expose consumers to serious health risks.
The agency urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspected cases of illegal manufacturing, relabelling, revalidation and sale of regulated products.
Consumers were also advised to exercise caution when purchasing alcoholic beverages, particularly products with suspicious packaging, questionable expiry dates or other signs of tampering.
NAFDAC provided its official complaints line, 0800-1-NAFDAC (0800-1-623322), for members of the public to report suspected violations.
The latest enforcement action forms part of the agency’s efforts to combat counterfeit and substandard products and protect public health.
Investigations are expected to establish the full extent of the alleged activities and identify other individuals who may be connected to the suspected distribution network.
NAFDAC Seizes Fake Drinks Worth Over ₦2bn at Lagos Trade Fair Complex
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