WHO Says Nigeria Has No Active Ebola Cases After Patient’s Evacuation to Switzerland

The World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi, has said Nigeria currently has no Ebola cases following the medical evacuation of the confirmed patient and her husband to Switzerland.

Janabi disclosed this on Monday in a statement posted on his official X account, saying Nigeria would continue monitoring 52 contacts linked to the case, while Switzerland would take responsibility for the patient’s continued treatment and the monitoring of her husband, identified as contact number 53.

According to him, the evacuation was completed earlier on Monday morning. He added that both the patient and her husband were Swiss citizens.

Janabi said the patient was clinically stable following treatment by Nigerian medical teams, who successfully managed her through the acute phase of the illness and stabilised her condition before the evacuation.

He commended the Federal Government, health workers, clinicians, emergency responders and other partners involved in the country’s Ebola response, describing the development as a remarkable achievement.

The WHO regional director said the successful management of the patient demonstrated Africa’s expertise, resilience and leadership in public health, particularly when countries collaborate to address health emergencies.

Despite the evacuation, Janabi stressed the need for continued vigilance, warning that monitoring contacts and sustaining other public health response measures remained essential.

He said Nigeria would maintain close surveillance of 52 contacts, while Swiss health authorities would assume responsibility for the patient’s continued care and follow-up of her husband.

The development marks a significant stage in Nigeria’s response to the case, although health authorities are expected to sustain surveillance and contact-tracing efforts to prevent any further transmission.

(NAN)