Nigeria currently has no Ebola cases following the medical evacuation of the country’s imported Ebola patient and her husband to Switzerland earlier this morning, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Prof. Mohamed Janabi, has said.

The patient and her husband, who was identified as her contact, were flown out of Abuja to Switzerland. The evacuation was carried out with the approval of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, who confirmed that the index case of Nigeria’s first imported Ebola virus disease left the capital earlier today.

Two reasons were given for the evacuation. First, both the patient and her husband are Swiss citizens. Second, the patient is clinically stable.
According to the WHO, the Nigerian medical team successfully managed her through the acute phase of the illness and stabilised her condition.

Describing her condition before departure, Pate said the index patient was clinically much improved, stable, conscious, and communicating, with her clinical laboratory test results moving towards baseline. He, however, cautioned that this does not mean she is no longer infectious, which is why strict protocols were in place. The patient was evacuated along with her spouse, who has remained asymptomatic.

Pate thanked the clinical staff for the high quality of care they provided. He also thanked the public health personnel who ensured that the evacuation was carried out in line with best public health measures for such operations. He said further updates would be provided later this afternoon after the patient and her spouse land successfully at their destination.
Despite the development, the WHO stressed that vigilance remains critical. Nigeria will continue the close follow-up of 52 contacts, while Switzerland will take over responsibility for the continued management of the patient and the follow-up of contact number 53, her husband.
Pate added that all public health measures are continuing to ensure successful containment of the imported virus. He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and to rely on information from credible sources.

Janabi, on behalf of the WHO and all partners, congratulated the Nigerian government, health workers, clinicians, emergency responders and all those involved in the response.
“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. This is a remarkable achievement and a testament to what Africa can accomplish when we work together. Congratulations once again to everyone involved. This is a proud moment demonstrating African expertise, resilience, and leadership in public health.”

Pate, in his own statement, also confirmed the departure and expressed appreciation to those involved in the patient’s care and evacuation.
“I confirm that, with my approval, earlier this morning, the index case for Nigeria’s first imported Ebola virus disease departed Abuja for Switzerland. The index patient was clinically much improved, stable, conscious, communicating, and her clinical laboratory test results were closing towards baseline. This does not mean she is not still infectious; hence the strict protocols in place. The patient was evacuated along with her spouse, who has remained asymptomatic. 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. We will provide further updates later this afternoon after the patient and her spouse land successfully at their destination. All public health measures are continuing to ensure successful containment of the imported virus. I urge Nigerians to remain vigilant and rely on information from credible sources.”