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The Federal Government has confirmed the evacuation of Nigeria’s index case of imported Ebola virus disease from Abuja to Switzerland, alongside her spouse.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this on Monday, saying the evacuation was carried out earlier in the morning with his approval.
Pate said the patient’s condition had improved significantly before she departed Nigeria, although she remained infectious and required strict public health precautions.
The development comes amid ongoing efforts by the Federal Government and public health authorities to contain the Ebola outbreak and prevent further transmission.
Patient’s condition improves
In a statement shared on his social media account, the minister said the patient was clinically stable and had shown considerable improvement before the medical evacuation.
“I confirm that, with my approval, earlier this morning, the index case for Nigeria’s first imported Ebola virus disease departed Abuja for Switzerland,” he said.
Providing further details about her condition, Pate said the patient was conscious, able to communicate and had laboratory test results approaching baseline levels.
“The index patient was clinically much improved, stable, conscious, communicating, and her clinical laboratory test results closing towards baseline,” the minister stated.
However, he cautioned that the improvement did not necessarily mean the patient could no longer transmit the virus.
“This does not mean she is not still infectious, hence the strict protocols in place,” he added.
The minister said the patient was accompanied by her spouse, who had remained asymptomatic at the time of the evacuation.
He did not provide further details about the medical facility in Switzerland where the patient would receive continued treatment.
Strict protocols observed during evacuation
Pate commended the medical professionals and public health personnel involved in the treatment of the patient and the arrangements for her transfer abroad.
He said the evacuation was conducted in accordance with public health measures designed to minimise the risk of Ebola transmission during transportation.
“I thank all the various clinical staff for the high quality care they provided the patient as well as the public health personnel who ensured the evacuation was carried out in line with best public health measures for such evacuations,” he said.
The minister also promised to provide further information after the patient and her spouse had arrived safely at their destination.
“We will provide further updates later this afternoon after the patient and her spouse lands successfully in their destination,” he added.
He reassured Nigerians that the government’s containment efforts were continuing and urged the public to remain vigilant.
“All public health measures are continuing to ensure successful containment of the imported virus. I urge Nigerians to remain vigilant and rely on information from credible sources,” Pate said.
Air ambulance reportedly departs Abuja
The government’s confirmation followed an earlier report by ARISE News that an air ambulance had departed the private jet section of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja with the Ebola patient on board.
The news organisation reported on its X account that its crew had obtained photographs showing a convoy of three ambulances and diplomatic vehicles entering the airport’s private jet wing.
It also reported obtaining videos of a medical evacuation aircraft at the airport.
ARISE News quoted a source as saying the Federal Government would announce the evacuation only after the aircraft had taken off and left Nigerian airspace.
The report generated attention as authorities continued to manage the country’s first reported imported Ebola case.
Government intensifies containment efforts
The evacuation comes days after the Federal Government confirmed an Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory on October 20, 2026.
At the time, the government announced that 44 contacts had been identified as part of efforts to monitor individuals who might have been exposed to the virus.
Contact identification and monitoring are important components of Ebola response efforts because people who have been exposed may develop symptoms during the disease’s incubation period.
The latest evacuation does not, by itself, mean the outbreak has been contained. Public health authorities must continue monitoring identified contacts, investigating potential exposures and enforcing appropriate infection-prevention measures.
Ebola virus disease is a serious illness that can spread through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person who is symptomatic, or with contaminated materials.
Symptoms can include fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea and, in some cases, unexplained bleeding.
Health authorities have repeatedly urged Nigerians to obtain information from official sources and report suspected cases through established public health channels.
The Federal Government has pledged to continue providing updates on the patient’s evacuation and the wider containment response as the situation develops.
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