WHO Declares Nigeria Ebola-Free After Patient, Husband Flown To Switzerland

The World Health Organisation, WHO, says Nigeria currently has no Ebola case following the medical evacuation of the index patient and her husband to Switzerland.

WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi, disclosed this in a statement on his official X handle on Monday, adding that Nigeria would continue monitoring 52 contacts, while Switzerland would manage the patient and follow up with her husband.

“Nigeria currently has no Ebola cases following the medical evacuation of the patient and her husband to Switzerland,” Janabi said.

He said the evacuation took place earlier on Monday morning, noting that both the patient and her husband were Swiss citizens.

According to him, the patient was clinically stable after Nigerian medical teams successfully managed her through the acute phase of the illness and stabilised her condition.

Janabi congratulated the Federal Government, health workers, clinicians, emergency responders and other partners involved in the Ebola response, describing the development as a remarkable achievement.

He said the successful management demonstrated Africa’s expertise, resilience and leadership in public health, particularly when countries worked together to respond to health emergencies.

However, the WHO regional director stressed that vigilance remained critical despite the evacuation.

“Nigeria will maintain close follow-up of 52 contacts, while Switzerland will assume responsibility for the continued management of the patient and monitoring of contact number 53, her husband,” he said.

The patient was Nigeria’s imported Bundibugyo strain case that triggered contact tracing and nationwide alert.