By Our Reporter
Nigeria currently has no active Ebola cases following the medical evacuation of an infected Swiss woman and her husband to Switzerland, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced.
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Professor Mohamed Janabi, disclosed this on Monday in a post on X, confirming that the two Swiss nationals had been evacuated earlier in the day.
The development followed the successful treatment and stabilisation of the infected woman by Nigerian medical personnel before her transfer abroad for continued medical care.
Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, had earlier confirmed the departure of the patient and her husband aboard an air ambulance bound for Switzerland.
According to Janabi, the Nigerian medical team successfully managed the woman during the acute phase of the illness and stabilised her condition before the evacuation.
He commended the Federal Government, healthcare workers, clinicians, emergency responders and partner organisations for their contributions to containing the outbreak.
“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.
He described the outcome as a significant achievement, demonstrating the capacity of African countries to respond effectively to public health emergencies through collaboration and coordinated action.
Despite the evacuation, the WHO regional director emphasised that surveillance and follow-up activities would continue to prevent further transmission of the virus.
He said Nigerian health authorities would maintain close monitoring of 52 contacts, while Switzerland would assume responsibility for the continued treatment of the patient and the monitoring of her husband, identified as contact number 53.
“With the evacuation of the patient and her husband, Nigeria currently has no Ebola cases,” Janabi stated.
He added that the development demonstrated African expertise, resilience and leadership in public health.
The announcement comes amid heightened public health vigilance following the identification of the Ebola case in Nigeria, with health authorities continuing efforts to monitor exposed individuals and prevent further spread of the disease.