Nigeria Has No Active Ebola Cases After Patient’s Evacuation To Switzerland – WHO
WHO Confirms No Ebola Cases in Nigeria Following Medical Evacuation
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced Monday that Nigeria currently has no reported cases of Ebola, following the medical evacuation of the country’s first patient and her husband to Switzerland.
Professor Mohamed Janabi, WHO’s African Regional Director, confirmed that the patient had been stabilized by Nigerian medical teams before their departure. “Earlier this morning, the Ebola patient in Nigeria and her contact, who is also her husband, were medically evacuated to Switzerland,” Janabi said.
Both individuals, who are Swiss citizens, were evacuated after the patient’s condition improved substantially during treatment in Nigeria. “The patient is clinically stable. The Nigerian medical team successfully managed her through the acute phase of the illness and stabilized her condition,” he stated.
Janabi commended the Nigerian government and healthcare professionals for their effective response to the situation, noting that the evacuation demonstrated the continent’s public health capabilities. “This is a remarkable achievement and a testament to what Africa can accomplish when we work together,” he added.
Despite the successful evacuation, Janabi emphasized the importance of ongoing surveillance. Nigeria will continue to monitor 52 contacts linked to the case, while Swiss authorities will manage the patient’s care and follow up on her husband’s status. “Vigilance remains critical,” he said.
Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, confirmed the evacuation via social media, stating that the patient’s clinical condition had significantly improved. “She was stable, conscious, and able to communicate, with her laboratory test results approaching baseline levels,” Pate noted.
He cautioned that the patient’s improvement should not lead to complacency regarding her potential infectiousness. “This does not mean she is not still infectious, hence the strict protocols in place,” he said. The patient was evacuated along with her husband, who had shown no symptoms of the virus.
Pate praised the clinical personnel and public health officials for their dedication and coordination during the medical response. He reiterated the commitment to maintaining public health measures to contain the virus and urged citizens to remain vigilant, relying on credible information sources.
The evacuation transfers responsibility for the patient’s further medical care and monitoring of her husband to Swiss authorities, while Nigerian health officials continue surveillance of the remaining contacts.
