WHO: Nigeria Not Yet Declared Ebola-Free After Patient’s Evacuation to Switzerland

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has clarified that Nigeria has not been declared Ebola-free, despite having no currently confirmed cases following the evacuation of the country’s index patient to Switzerland.

In a statement published on X on Monday, the WHO Nigeria office said public health officials were continuing to monitor people who might have come into contact with the virus.

“WHO has not declared Nigeria Ebola‑free. Nigeria currently has no confirmed case of Ebola following the medical evacuation of the index patient to Switzerland.

“Health officials are closely monitoring 52 contacts who may have been exposed,” the organisation stated.

The WHO noted that the International Health Regulations require a 42-day countdown before a country can be declared Ebola-free. The countdown follows the last confirmed case testing negative twice for the virus or, as in Nigeria’s situation, the evacuation of the confirmed case.

“This period is then followed by heightened surveillance.”

The statement was issued after reports emerged suggesting that Nigeria had already been declared Ebola-free.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, had earlier confirmed on Monday that the Swiss patient and her spouse were flown to Switzerland in an air ambulance.

According to Pate, the patient was clinically improving, stable, conscious and communicating before the evacuation. He cautioned, however, that these improvements did not automatically mean she was no longer infectious.

Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, commended the Nigerian medical team for managing the patient through the acute phase of the illness and stabilising her before the transfer.

The NCDC had also reported on Sunday that 53 contacts associated with the case had been identified and followed up. Those being monitored included healthcare workers, domestic staff and the patient’s husband.

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