The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday declared Nigeria Ebola free following the evacuation of the index case to her home country, Switzerland.
Key Highlights
- WHO says Nigeria currently has no Ebola cases after the index patient was evacuated to Switzerland.
- The patient and her husband, both Swiss citizens, were airlifted from Abuja at about 6am on Monday.
- WHO Africa Regional Director Mohamed Janabi says the patient is clinically stable.
- Monitoring of 52 contacts linked to the confirmed case will continue in Nigeria.
Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, in a post on his X handle on Monday, said the patient was clinically stable after being successfully managed by healthcare workers in Nigeria.
“The patient and her husband, who is also a Swiss citizen, were evacuated to Switzerland early Monday morning aboard a medical evacuation aircraft.
“She was airlifted from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja at about 6am,” he said.
Switzerland Takes Over Patient’s Care
Janabi said Switzerland would assume responsibility for the patient’s continued medical management and the monitoring of her husband, who is contact number 53.
He said Nigeria would continue monitoring the 52 other contacts linked to the confirmed case.
The WHO official said Nigeria currently has no Ebola cases following the evacuation.
“Earlier this morning, the Ebola patient in Nigeria and her contact, who is also her husband, were medically evacuated to Switzerland,” Janabi said.
“The reasons for the evacuation are: Both the patient and her husband are Swiss citizens. The patient is clinically stable.
“The Nigerian medical team successfully managed her through the acute phase of the illness and stabilised her condition.”
Read also:
- NCDC Identifies 2 More Suspected Ebola Cases, Tracks 53 Contacts
- Ebola: NCDC Approves ₦100,000 Weekly Stipend For Contacts In Isolation
- Cross River Trains 34 Health Workers On Ebola Outbreak Prevention, Control
WHO Commends Nigeria’s Response
He congratulated the federal government, health workers, clinicians, emergency responders and other partners involved in the response, describing the development as a demonstration of African expertise, resilience and leadership in public health.
He noted that vigilance remains critical as Nigeria continues contact tracing and surveillance to prevent further transmission.
For more Ebola updates and health news, follow us on X.
