The World Health Organisation (WHO) has congratulated the Federal Government of Nigeria, healthcare workers and emergency response teams for their handling of the country’s imported Ebola case, following the medical evacuation of the infected patient and her husband to Switzerland.
The evacuation, which took place on Monday, October 26, has left Nigeria with no currently reported Ebola cases, although public health authorities are continuing to monitor individuals who may have been exposed to the virus.
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Professor Mohamed Janabi, announced the development in a statement shared on his official X account, commending Nigerian medical personnel for stabilising the patient before her transfer.
According to Janabi, the patient and her husband, who are both Swiss citizens, were evacuated earlier in the day after the woman’s condition improved following treatment by Nigerian healthcare professionals.
“The Nigerian medical team successfully managed her through the acute phase of the illness and stabilised her condition,” he said.
Congratulating the Nigerian government and the medical teams involved, Janabi described the development as a significant achievement that demonstrated Africa’s capacity to respond effectively to public health emergencies through collaboration and professional expertise.
“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,” he said.
He added that the successful management of the patient demonstrated African expertise, resilience and leadership in public health.
The WHO official, however, cautioned that the evacuation did not mean Nigeria’s public health response had ended, stressing that continued vigilance, surveillance and contact tracing remained essential to prevent further transmission.
He disclosed that Nigerian health authorities would continue the close monitoring of 52 contacts linked to the confirmed case, while Swiss authorities would take responsibility for the patient’s continued medical management and the monitoring of her husband, identified as contact number 53.
*Patient stabilised before evacuation*
Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, had earlier confirmed that the index patient departed Abuja for Switzerland aboard a medical evacuation aircraft, with her husband accompanying her.
Pate said the patient had improved significantly and was stable, conscious and able to communicate, while her laboratory results were approaching baseline levels.
He nevertheless warned that an improvement in her clinical condition did not necessarily mean she was no longer infectious, explaining that strict public health protocols were maintained throughout the evacuation process.
The minister commended the clinical personnel who treated the patient and the public health teams responsible for ensuring that the transfer was conducted in accordance with appropriate safety measures.
He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustaining containment measures and urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and obtain information from credible sources.
*Contact tracing and surveillance continue*
The confirmed case had prompted Nigerian health authorities to intensify surveillance and contact tracing to establish possible exposure routes and prevent further spread of the virus.
The patient was diagnosed with the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus disease after returning to Nigeria from Uganda. The circumstances surrounding how she contracted the infection remained under investigation as of Monday.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) had identified 53 contacts associated with the case, including healthcare workers, domestic staff and the patient’s husband.
With the evacuation, Nigeria will continue monitoring 52 contacts, while Switzerland assumes responsibility for the follow-up of the patient’s husband.
The development marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s response to its first imported Ebola case in more than a decade.
However, health authorities are expected to maintain heightened surveillance, infection prevention and control measures, and public health communication while the remaining contacts are monitored.
*Vigilance remains critical*
Although Nigeria currently has no reported Ebola cases following the evacuation, the WHO’s emphasis on continued vigilance underscores the importance of completing contact tracing and maintaining readiness to identify and respond promptly to any suspected infection.
The Bundibugyo strain is a distinct type of Ebola virus, and there is no approved vaccine specifically for preventing the disease caused by this strain.
Health authorities have continued to urge the public to rely on official updates, report suspected cases promptly and cooperate with public health officials.
The WHO’s commendation highlights the role of Nigerian healthcare professionals in managing the imported case and stabilising the patient, while the continuation of surveillance measures remains crucial to safeguarding the country against further transmission.