The World Health Organisation (WHO) has congratulated Nigeria for its response to an imported Ebola case after the infected patient and her husband were medically evacuated to Switzerland, leaving the country with no reported Ebola cases currently within its borders.
The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Professor Mohamed Janabi, announced the development on Monday, October 26, 2026, commending the Nigerian government, healthcare workers, clinicians, emergency responders and other partners involved in managing the case.
According to Janabi, the patient was clinically stable following treatment by Nigerian medical personnel, who successfully managed the acute phase of her illness before the evacuation.
The patient and her husband, both Swiss citizens, were flown out of Abuja to Switzerland for continued medical care and follow-up. The husband, who was identified as a close contact of the infected woman, had remained asymptomatic at the time of the evacuation.
Congratulating Nigeria on the development, Janabi described the response as a significant achievement and evidence of the capacity of African countries to manage public health emergencies through cooperation and coordinated action.
“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. This is a remarkable achievement and a testament to what Africa can accomplish when we work together,” he said.
Despite the development, the WHO stressed that continued vigilance remains essential to prevent further transmission of the virus.
Nigerian health authorities will continue monitoring 52 contacts linked to the case, while Swiss authorities will assume responsibility for the patient’s continued medical management and the follow-up of her husband, identified as the 53rd contact.
The development follows Nigeria’s confirmation of its first imported case of Ebola virus disease in more than a decade. The infection was confirmed on October 20, 2026, after laboratory tests detected the Bundibugyo strain of the virus in a woman who had recently travelled from Uganda.
Following the confirmation, health authorities intensified surveillance, contact tracing, isolation and other public health measures to limit the risk of further transmission.
Although the evacuation has left Nigeria with no currently reported Ebola cases, the continuation of contact monitoring remains crucial to the country’s public health response.
The WHO’s commendation highlights the role of Nigerian healthcare professionals and emergency responders in managing the case, while underscoring the importance of sustained surveillance and cooperation among countries in responding to infectious disease threats.
About The Author
