WHO Congratulates Nigeria as Ebola Cases Drop to Zero Following Patient’s Evacuation

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has congratulated Nigeria’s government and health workers following the successful management and evacuation of the country’s first imported Ebola patient to Switzerland, leaving Nigeria with no currently confirmed Ebola cases. The development was announced on Monday, October 26, 2026, after the infected patient and her husband, both Swiss citizens, were flown from Abuja to Switzerland for continued medical care and monitoring.

WHO Regional Director for Africa, Professor Mohamed Janabi, praised Nigerian health workers, clinicians, emergency responders and other partners for their role in managing the case. He said the medical team successfully treated the patient through the acute phase of the illness and stabilised her condition before the evacuation.

Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, had earlier confirmed that the patient was clinically improved, stable, conscious and able to communicate. However, officials stressed that her improved condition did not necessarily mean she was no longer infectious, making strict health and safety procedures essential during the evacuation.

Despite the encouraging development, health authorities have warned that the country’s response is not over. Nigeria will continue monitoring 52 people who had contact with the patient, while Switzerland will take responsibility for the patient’s continued treatment and the monitoring of her husband, who is listed as contact number 53.

The WHO has also clarified that having no active confirmed Ebola cases does not mean Nigeria has officially been declared Ebola-free. Under international health guidelines, a country must complete a 42-day period after the last confirmed case tests negative twice before it can be declared free of the outbreak. Enhanced surveillance continues beyond that period.

The case had raised concerns about the risk of Ebola spreading in Nigeria after the patient was diagnosed with the Bundibugyo strain following travel connected to an outbreak in Central and East Africa. The response involved isolation, treatment, contact tracing and other public health measures aimed at preventing further transmission.

The WHO’s commendation highlights the importance of rapid medical intervention, coordinated emergency response and continued surveillance in containing infectious diseases. Authorities have urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and rely on credible public health updates while contact monitoring continues.