Nigeria currently has no cases of Ebola after the index patient and her husband were evacuated to Switzerland, the World Health Organization said on Monday.
Mohamed Janabi, WHO regional director for Africa, stated that the patient, a 42-year-old Swiss citizen diagnosed with the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus disease, was clinically stable following treatment by Nigerian medical teams.
“Both the patient and her husband are Swiss citizens,” Janabi said in a post on X. “The patient is clinically stable. The Nigerian medical team successfully managed her through the acute phase of the illness and stabilized her condition.
“With the evacuation of the patient and her husband, Nigeria currently has no Ebola cases. However, vigilance remains critical. 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.”
Janabi praised the Nigerian government, health workers, clinicians and emergency responders for their handling of the case.
The patient was airlifted from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja early on Monday for further treatment in Switzerland. Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Ali Pate confirmed the departure.
“I confirm that, with my approval, earlier this morning, the index case for Nigeria’s first imported Ebola virus disease departed Abuja for Switzerland,” Pate said. He added that the woman’s husband remains asymptomatic.
