By Lukman OMIKUNLE
WHO says Nigeria has no confirmed Ebola case after the index patient was evacuated to Switzerland, but 52 contacts remain under monitoring
Nigeria Ebola Update: WHO Confirms No Active Case
The World Health Organization (WHO) says Nigeria currently has no confirmed Ebola case following the medical evacuation of the country’s index patient to Switzerland, but has warned that the development does not mean the country has been officially declared Ebola-free.
The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi, disclosed this in a statement posted on his verified X account on Monday, following the evacuation of the infected patient and her husband from Abuja.
Janabi said the patient was clinically stable after Nigerian medical personnel successfully managed her through the acute phase of the illness and stabilised her condition.
“With the evacuation of the patient and her husband, Nigeria currently has no Ebola cases,” he said.
He added that Nigeria would continue monitoring 52 contacts linked to the case, while Switzerland would take responsibility for the patient’s continued treatment and follow-up of her husband, identified as contact number 53.
“However, vigilance remains critical. Nigeria will continue the close follow-up of 52 contacts, while Switzerland will assume responsibility for the continued management of the patient and the follow-up of contact number 53, her husband,” Janabi said.
The WHO director commended the Nigerian government, health workers, clinicians, emergency responders and other partners involved in managing the case.
The patient, a Swiss woman who travelled to Nigeria from Uganda, was evacuated from Abuja on Monday after her condition improved. Her husband, also a Swiss citizen, accompanied her and had reportedly remained without symptoms.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) had earlier confirmed the imported case of Ebola virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory and identified 53 contacts for monitoring.
The agency’s situation report dated October 24 stated that the patient tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola on October 20. Investigations into her possible exposure and the circumstances surrounding the infection were ongoing.
Despite the patient’s evacuation, public health surveillance and contact tracing remain crucial to Nigeria’s response. The WHO has clarified that Nigeria has not yet been officially declared Ebola-free, as the required 42-day period following the last confirmed case must elapse before such a declaration can be made.
Health authorities have continued to urge vigilance as they monitor identified contacts and maintain measures aimed at preventing further transmission.
