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The World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi, has confirmed that Nigeria currently has no Ebola case, following the medical evacuation of the index patient and her husband to Switzerland.
Janabi disclosed this in a statement on his official X handle on Monday, saying Nigeria would continue monitoring 52 contacts, while Switzerland would take over the management of the patient and follow up her husband, who is contact number 53.
He said the evacuation took place earlier in the morning and noted that both the patient and her husband were Swiss citizens.
According to Janabi, the patient was clinically stable after Nigerian medical teams successfully managed her through the acute phase of the illness and stabilised her condition.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, also said the patient had shown significant clinical improvement, with laboratory test results approaching baseline levels.
Pate said the patient was “clinically much improved, stable, conscious, communicating,” but warned that the improvement did not mean she was no longer infectious.
“This does not mean she is not still infectious, hence the strict protocols in place,” he said.
The minister said the patient was evacuated alongside her asymptomatic husband, while commending the clinical and public health teams for ensuring the evacuation complied with established protocols.
Janabi congratulated the Federal Government of Nigeria, health workers, clinicians, emergency responders and other partners, describing the development as a remarkable achievement.
However, he stressed that vigilance remained critical, urging continued contact monitoring and other response measures.
Nigeria will maintain follow-up of 52 contacts, while Switzerland will assume responsibility for the patient’s continued management and monitoring of her husband.
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