The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that Nigeria currently has no Ebola cases following the evacuation of the index patient and her husband to Switzerland for further medical care and follow-up.
Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, disclosed this in a post on his X handle on Monday, saying the patient was clinically stable after Nigerian medical personnel successfully managed her through the acute phase of the illness.
“Both the patient and her husband are Swiss citizens,” Janabi said.
“The patient is clinically stable. The Nigerian medical team successfully managed her through the acute phase of the illness and stabilized her condition. With the evacuation of the patient and her husband, Nigeria currently has no Ebola cases.”
Janabi, however, stressed the need for continued vigilance, noting that Nigeria would maintain close monitoring of 52 contacts, while Switzerland would take responsibility for the patient’s continued treatment and the follow-up of the 53rd contact, her husband.
He commended the Nigerian government, health workers, clinicians and emergency responders for their role in managing the case.
Earlier on Monday, the 42-year-old woman, who was diagnosed with the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus disease, was airlifted to Switzerland aboard a medical aircraft. The evacuation reportedly took place at about 6am from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, confirmed the evacuation in a post on X, stating that he had approved the transfer.
“I confirm that, with my approval, earlier this morning, the index case for Nigeria’s first imported Ebola virus disease departed Abuja for Switzerland,” Pate said.
He added that the woman’s husband remained asymptomatic.
