WHO Says Nigeria Not Ebola-Free
The World Health Organization has clarified that Nigeria has not been declared Ebola-free, despite having no currently confirmed cases following the medical evacuation of the country’s index patient to Switzerland.
The clarification follows confusion over the status of Nigeria’s Ebola response after the infected patient and her husband were evacuated on Monday.
The Director of the WHO Regional Office for Africa, Professor Mohamed Janabi, disclosed that both individuals were medically evacuated to Switzerland because they are Swiss citizens and the patient’s condition had stabilised.
Janabi commended the Nigerian government, healthcare workers, clinicians, emergency responders and other partners for successfully managing the patient through the acute phase of the illness.
He described the development as a remarkable achievement, highlighting the importance of collaboration in strengthening Africa’s capacity to respond to public health emergencies.
However, the WHO stressed that having no confirmed Ebola cases does not mean Nigeria has been officially declared Ebola-free.
According to the agency, health officials are continuing to monitor 52 contacts who may have been exposed to the virus.
The WHO explained that, under international health regulations, the country must complete a 42-day monitoring period following the last confirmed case testing negative twice or, in this situation, the evacuation of the confirmed patient, before it can be declared Ebola-free.
The period will be followed by heightened surveillance to detect any possible new infections.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, had earlier said further updates would be provided after the patient and her husband arrived safely at their destination.
The WHO says continued contact tracing, surveillance and adherence to public health protocols remain essential to preventing further transmission and ensuring Nigeria successfully concludes its Ebola response.
