WHO declares Nigeria Ebola-free after evacuation of Swiss citizens

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said Nigeria currently has no reported Ebola case following the evacuation of the index patient and her husband, both Swiss citizens, to Switzerland.

Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, disclosed this in a post on his X account on Monday.

Janabi said the female patient was clinically stable after Nigerian medical personnel successfully managed her through the acute phase of the illness.

The development follows the evacuation of the couple from Nigeria for further medical care in Switzerland.

“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.

“However, vigilance remains critical. Nigeria will continue the close follow-up of 52 contacts, while Switzerland will assume responsibility for the continued management of the patient and the follow-up of contact number 53, her husband.”

He commended the Nigerian government, health workers, clinicians and emergency responders involved in managing the case.

Earlier on Monday, Nigeria’s index Ebola case was evacuated to Switzerland for further treatment.

The 42-year-old woman diagnosed with the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus disease was airlifted by a medical plane on Monday at about 6am from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport in Abuja.

Ali Pate, coordinating minister of health and social welfare, added that her husband remains asymptomatic.

“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 in an X post.

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