The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared Nigeria free of Ebola cases following the evacuation of the index patient to Switzerland for continued medical care.
The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi, disclosed this in a statement posted on his verified X handle on Monday.
Janabi said Nigeria would continue monitoring 52 contacts linked to the confirmed case, while Switzerland would take responsibility for the patient’s continued treatment and the monitoring of her husband, who was identified as the 53rd contact.
He explained that the patient was clinically stable after Nigerian medical teams successfully managed her through the acute phase of the illness and stabilised her condition.
“Nigeria is now Ebola-free following the evacuation of the index patient to Switzerland,” Janabi stated.
“Nigeria would maintain close follow-up of 52 contacts, while Switzerland would assume responsibility for the continued management of the patient and monitoring of contact number 53, her husband,” he added.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) had earlier confirmed an imported Ebola case involving a patient who arrived from Uganda, prompting health authorities to place 53 contacts under monitoring in Abuja.
The development followed heightened surveillance efforts by Nigerian health authorities to prevent further transmission of the virus.
Despite the reported absence of active cases in Nigeria, the continued monitoring of contacts remains an important public health measure to detect any potential symptoms and respond promptly if necessary.
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