WHO declares Nigeria Ebola-free after infected patient’s evacuation

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Read History Go to My Account Log Out Enhanced by Google News WHO declares Nigeria Ebola-free after infected patient’s evacuation The World Organisation (WHO) has said Nigeria currently has no Ebola cases following the medical evacuation of the infected patient

Listen to this article Share The World Organisation (WHO) has said Nigeria currently has no Ebola cases following the medical evacuation of the infected patient and her husband to Switzerland.

Mohamed Janabi, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, disclosed this in a statement posted on his official X handle on Monday.

Janabi said Nigeria would continue monitoring 52 contacts linked to the case, while Switzerland would take responsibility for the patient’s continued medical care and the monitoring of her husband, who is the 53rd contact.

He said the patient and her husband, both Swiss citizens, were evacuated earlier on Monday after Nigerian medical teams stabilised her condition.

According to Janabi, the patient had been successfully managed through the acute phase of the illness before the evacuation.

He congratulated the Federal Government, healthcare workers, clinicians, emergency responders and other partners involved in the response, describing the development as a significant achievement.

The WHO official said the management of the case demonstrated the capacity of African countries to respond to public health emergencies through collaboration.

He, however, stressed the need for continued vigilance, noting that contact monitoring and other public health measures remained important to prevent further transmission.

Nigeria confirmed its first imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease on October 20, 2026, involving a woman who had recently travelled from Uganda.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention subsequently activated its response measures, including contact tracing, laboratory investigations and infection prevention procedures.

The agency had identified 53 contacts linked to the case, including healthcare workers, domestic staff and the patient’s husband. None had tested positive as of the agency’s October 24 situation report.

Muhammad Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, also confirmed the patient’s evacuation to Switzerland on Monday.

Pate said the patient was stable, conscious and communicating, with her laboratory test results approaching baseline levels. He, however, warned that the improvement did not necessarily mean she was no longer infectious.

He said strict public health protocols were observed during the evacuation and urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and rely on credible sources of information.

Health authorities are continuing surveillance and follow-up of identified contacts to prevent further spread of the disease.