Nigeria Ebola-Free After Patient’s Evacuation To Switzerland — WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said Nigeria currently has no active Ebola cases following the medical evacuation of the country’s confirmed patient and her husband to Switzerland.

The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Professor Mohamed Janabi, announced the development on Monday, October 26, 2026, after confirming that the two Swiss citizens had been evacuated from Abuja earlier in the day.

Janabi said the patient was clinically stable following treatment by Nigerian medical personnel, who managed her through the acute phase of the illness before her transfer.

He commended the Federal Government, healthcare workers, clinicians, emergency responders and other partners involved in managing the case, describing their efforts as an example of effective collaboration in responding to public health emergencies.

However, the WHO stressed that the development does not mean Nigeria’s Ebola response has ended. The country will continue monitoring 52 contacts linked to the patient, while Swiss authorities will take responsibility for her continued treatment and monitor her husband, identified as contact number 53.

Nigeria confirmed its first imported case of Ebola virus disease in more than a decade on October 20. The infection involved the Bundibugyo strain of the virus in a 42-year-old woman who had travelled to Nigeria from Uganda.

The patient developed symptoms several days after returning to the country and received medical attention before laboratory tests confirmed the infection. She was subsequently isolated and treated by Nigerian healthcare professionals.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, confirmed that the patient departed Abuja on Monday with her husband following significant clinical improvement.

Pate said she was stable, conscious and communicating, with her laboratory results approaching baseline levels. He cautioned, however, that her improved condition did not necessarily mean she was no longer infectious, explaining that strict public health protocols were maintained throughout the evacuation.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention had earlier identified 53 contacts, including healthcare workers and domestic staff, for monitoring and follow-up.

The evacuation means Nigeria currently has no confirmed active Ebola patient within its borders, according to the WHO. Nevertheless, surveillance, contact tracing and infection-prevention measures remain essential to prevent further transmission.

Health authorities have urged Nigerians to remain vigilant, cooperate with public health officials and rely on verified information as monitoring continues.