The World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Prof. Mohamed Janabi, has said Nigeria currently has no active Ebola cases following the medical evacuation of the country’s index patient and her husband to Switzerland.
Janabi announced this on Monday through his official X account, commending the Nigerian government, health workers and emergency responders for their roles in managing the imported case.
He said Nigeria would continue monitoring 52 contacts linked to the patient, while Switzerland would take responsibility for her continued medical care and follow-up of her husband, identified as contact number 53.
“On behalf of WHO and all partners, I warmly congratulate the Government of Nigeria, health workers, clinicians, emergency responders and all those involved in the response,” Janabi said.
“This is a remarkable achievement and a testament to what Africa can accomplish when we work together.
“With the evacuation of the patient and her husband, Nigeria currently has no Ebola cases,” he added.
However, the WHO official stressed that continued vigilance was necessary despite the evacuation.
“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 said.
Janabi described the development as a demonstration of African expertise, resilience and leadership in public health.
The evacuation was earlier confirmed by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, who said the patient departed Abuja for Switzerland on Monday with his approval.
Pate said the patient’s clinical condition had improved significantly before the evacuation, adding that she was stable, conscious and able to communicate.
“The index patient was clinically much improved, stable, conscious, communicating, and her clinical laboratory test results closing towards baseline,” the minister said.
He, however, cautioned that the patient could still be infectious despite the improvement in her condition, stressing that strict medical and public health protocols were maintained throughout the evacuation.
The patient’s husband, who had remained asymptomatic, was also evacuated alongside her.
Pate commended the clinical personnel who treated the patient and public health officials who coordinated the evacuation in accordance with established safety procedures.
“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 added that public health measures remained in place to contain the imported infection and urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and obtain information from credible sources.
Although the evacuation leaves Nigeria with no currently identified active Ebola cases, the continued monitoring of the 52 contacts remains a key part of efforts to prevent further transmission.
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