FG says Nigeria could declare Ebola outbreak over by December 7

The Federal Government says Nigeria could declare the Ebola outbreak over as early as December 7, 2026, if no further confirmed or probable cases are detected.

Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this in a post on his official X page on Monday, October 26, 2026.

He said the proposed date depends on the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) validating the required 42-day countdown, warning that any new case would restart the process.

The announcement follows the medical evacuation of Nigeria’s imported Ebola index patient and her husband to Switzerland, leaving the country with no remaining Ebola cases according to the WHO. However, authorities must continue surveillance and contact tracing before the outbreak can officially be declared over.

Pate said the government’s immediate priorities following the medical evacuation of the imported Ebola index patient include monitoring identified contacts, investigating alerts and strengthening preparedness across health facilities.

He explained that December 7 remains a provisional date, subject to ongoing surveillance and validation by the NCDC and WHO.

The minister added that government teams were working with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), state health authorities and development partners to contain the outbreak and prevent community transmission.

He also urged Nigerians to remain calm, cooperate with contact-tracing teams and follow public health guidance as authorities continue their response.

Under WHO criteria, an Ebola outbreak can generally be declared over after 42 consecutive days without new cases, counted from the second negative test of the last confirmed patient or the patient’s death, where applicable.

The WHO has confirmed that Nigeria currently has no Ebola cases following the medical evacuation of the index patient and her husband to Switzerland on Monday.

The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Professor Mohamed Janabi, disclosed this in a statement on his official X account, commending Nigerian health authorities for their response to the infection.

The woman, who was diagnosed with the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, was flown out of Abuja alongside her husband after her condition improved sufficiently to permit the transfer under strict medical supervision.

The WHO official stressed that the evacuation did not end Nigeria’s public health response, as authorities must continue monitoring individuals who may have been exposed to the virus.

Nigeria confirmed its first imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease on October 20, 2026, after laboratory investigations established that a 42-year-old woman who had recently returned from Uganda contracted the infection.

Uganda was declared Ebola-free in August 2026 after completing the required observation period without additional confirmed cases, while Kenya has reported nine confirmed infections and two deaths.

The proposed December 7 date depends on no additional confirmed or probable cases emerging and the NCDC and WHO validating the countdown. Any new case would require a fresh countdown in line with WHO criteria, potentially pushing back the date for declaring the outbreak over.

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