The World Health Organization (WHO) declared that there is no case of Ebola in Nigeria at the moment. This is following the evacuation of the index patient and her husband to Switzerland for further medical care and monitoring.
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi made the announcement on Monday in a statement posted on his official X account.
Earlier in the day, the patient and her husband, both Swiss citizens, had been evacuated after Nigerian medical staff stabilised the woman’s condition and successfully treated the acute phase of her sickness, Janabi added.
He praised the Federal Government, health care workers, clinicians, emergency responders and partner organisations for their contributions in bringing the situation under control.
He said the progress demonstrated Africa’s potential to respond to public health emergencies with professionalism, resilience and international cooperation.
Janabi emphasised that despite the evacuation, attempts to trace contacts and watch for future transmission need to continue.
Nigerian health authorities would continue to monitor 52 interactions, he said, while Swiss authorities would be responsible for the patient’s continuous treatment and follow up with her husband, the 53rd contact.
The evacuation did not signify that persistent surveillance and other public health measures were no longer needed, the WHO regional director said, and he called for continuing vigilance.
This follows the Federal Government’s confirmation of the evacuation as health officials work to contain the Ebola issue and monitor anybody who may have been exposed to the sickness.
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