The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed that Nigeria has no active Ebola cases following the evacuation of an infected Swiss woman and her husband to Switzerland.
The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Prof. Mohamed Janabi, announced this on Monday, following the transfer of the couple out of Nigeria aboard an air ambulance.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, had earlier confirmed the evacuation, identifying the patient and her husband as Swiss citizens.
Janabi said the woman’s condition had stabilised after Nigerian health workers provided treatment and successfully managed the acute phase of her illness.
“The Nigerian medical team successfully managed her through the acute phase of the illness and stabilised her condition,” he said in a post on X.
The WHO official praised the Federal Government and the medical personnel involved in the response, commending their efforts in managing the case and facilitating the patient’s evacuation.
He also acknowledged the contributions of clinicians, emergency responders and other partners, describing the development as evidence of the effectiveness of collaboration in addressing public health emergencies.
“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,” Janabi said.
“This is a remarkable achievement and a testament to what Africa can accomplish when we work together,” he added.
However, the WHO regional director cautioned against complacency, stressing that public health surveillance and the monitoring of exposed persons remained necessary.
He disclosed that Nigerian authorities would continue to monitor 52 contacts associated with the case, while Switzerland would take over the patient’s continued medical management and monitor her husband, who was designated contact number 53.
The evacuation marks a significant development in Nigeria’s response to the Ebola case, although the continued monitoring of contacts remains essential to assessing and containing any potential risk of further transmission.
Janabi congratulated the authorities and health workers once again, describing the outcome as a demonstration of Africa’s capacity to manage public health challenges through professional expertise, resilience and cooperation.
“With the evacuation of the patient and her husband, Nigeria currently has no Ebola cases,” he said.
Leave a Reply