Nigeria Needs 42 Days of Monitoring to Be Declared Ebola-Free — WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said Nigeria must complete a 42-day countdown without new confirmed cases before the country can be officially declared free of the current Ebola outbreak.

The clarification followed the medical evacuation of Nigeria’s index patient and her husband to Switzerland on October 26, after which the country had no confirmed active Ebola case within its borders.

WHO stressed that the absence of active cases does not mean the outbreak has officially ended, as health authorities must continue monitoring potentially exposed individuals and maintain heightened surveillance.

The organisation explained that under the applicable International Health Regulations, an Ebola outbreak can generally be declared over after 42 consecutive days without a new confirmed case, subject to the required conditions being met.

The countdown follows the last confirmed case testing negative twice for the virus or other applicable circumstances, including the evacuation of a confirmed patient, with the relevant conditions and monitoring requirements validated by public health authorities.

Nigeria confirmed its first imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease, a type of Ebola, on October 20, 2026. The patient was a 42-year-old woman who had travelled from Uganda and tested positive after developing symptoms.

Following the confirmation, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) activated contact tracing, isolation and surveillance measures to prevent further transmission.

Health officials have been monitoring approximately 52 contacts in Nigeria who may have been exposed to the confirmed case. Authorities have urged those identified to cooperate with public health teams and report any symptoms promptly.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, said Nigeria could potentially declare the outbreak over by December 7, 2026, if no further confirmed or probable cases emerge.

He emphasised that the date remains provisional and depends on validation of the 42-day countdown by the NCDC and WHO. Any additional confirmed or probable case could require a fresh countdown.

The minister said the government’s immediate priorities include monitoring identified contacts, investigating alerts and strengthening preparedness across health facilities.

The NCDC has also urged Nigerians to maintain good hand hygiene, avoid direct contact with the blood and bodily fluids of suspected cases, and cooperate with contact-tracing teams.

WHO’s clarification underscores that although Nigeria currently has no confirmed active Ebola case following the patient’s evacuation, the outbreak cannot yet be officially declared over. Continued monitoring and surveillance remain essential to detect any possible transmission and protect public health.