The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, on Monday confirmed that Nigeria’s first imported Ebola virus disease case has been evacuated to Switzerland alongside her husband.
Pate disclosed this on his X handle, stating that the index patient had shown significant clinical improvement and was stable, conscious and able to communicate before the evacuation.
According to the minister, the patient’s husband, who accompanied her, remained asymptomatic.
“I confirm that, with my approval, earlier this morning, the index case for Nigeria’s first imported Ebola virus disease departed Abuja for Switzerland. The index patient was clinically much improved, stable, conscious, communicating, and her clinical laboratory test results closing towards baseline,” Pate wrote.
He, however, cautioned that the patient’s improvement did not necessarily mean she was no longer infectious, adding that strict public health protocols were implemented to ensure the evacuation was conducted safely.
“This does not mean she is not still infectious, hence the strict protocols in place. The patient was evacuated along with her spouse who has remained asymptomatic,” he said.
The minister commended the clinical staff who treated the patient and the public health personnel who coordinated the evacuation in line with established public health measures.
Pate added that further updates would be provided after the patient and her husband arrived safely at their destination.
He also assured Nigerians that public health measures were continuing to ensure the successful containment of the imported virus, urging citizens to remain vigilant and rely on credible sources of information.
The evacuation came a day after the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reported that the number of contacts linked to the index case had risen to 53.
The agency said the contacts included healthcare workers, domestic staff and the patient’s spouse.
In its Ebola Disease Situation Report dated October 24, 2026, the NCDC disclosed that Rivers State had reported a newly suspected case on October 23, but laboratory results returned negative for Ebola virus disease.
“Fifty-three contacts linked to the index case have so far been identified, categorized and followed up. Contacts listed include healthcare workers, domestic staff and spouse,” the report stated.
How Nigeria’s Ebola case was detected
Providing details of the index case, the NCDC said the patient was a 42-year-old woman who returned to Nigeria from Uganda through Addis Ababa on October 3, 2026, arriving in Abuja on an international flight.
She reportedly developed symptoms four days later and sought treatment at a private health facility on October 10 before presenting at another private facility on October 11, where she was admitted.
The agency said it was notified of the case on October 19, prompting an investigation and sample collection. The NCDC National Reference Laboratory confirmed the infection on October 20.
Symptoms recorded at presentation included fever, diarrhoea, generalised body aches and a sore throat. The agency said no bleeding was reported.
NCDC assures Nigerians of containment measures
Meanwhile, the NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, has assured Nigerians that the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the NCDC, FCT health authorities and partners, is committed to containing the confirmed Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory.
Speaking at a press briefing on Sunday, Idris acknowledged public concerns but said the government was deploying established public health systems and experienced personnel to prevent further transmission.
“I recognise the concern that the confirmation of Ebola may have caused among Nigerians. Ebola is a serious disease, and we are handling this situation with the urgency it deserves,” he said.
“We have a clear response plan, experienced personnel, and established public health systems that we are deploying to prevent further transmission.”
Idris explained that the response was being coordinated through a structured Incident Management System led by the Emergency Operations Centre, under the national leadership of the health minister and the Presidential Task Force on Ebola virus disease.
What Nigerians should expect
According to the NCDC director-general, public health teams are working to identify people who may have been exposed to the confirmed case, assess their level of exposure and monitor their health for 21 days after their last possible exposure.
The exercise covers healthcare workers, patients, caregivers, household members, travel-related contacts and others who may have had relevant contact with the patient.
Idris described contact tracing as a detailed process requiring careful investigation, accurate information and consistent follow-up. He urged Nigerians contacted by public health officials to cooperate fully.
“If you are contacted by a public health official, please cooperate fully. Provide accurate information about your movements, contacts, and any symptoms you may have experienced,” he said.
He stressed that being identified as a contact did not mean that a person had Ebola, explaining that the process was intended to assess and monitor potential exposure and detect any infection early.
He added that public cooperation would help authorities identify potential cases promptly and prevent further transmission.
NCDC calls for stronger protection of healthcare workers
Idris also commended healthcare workers whose vigilance and clinical judgement helped identify the case and trigger the public health response.
He recognised the contributions of doctors, nurses and other hospital professionals, as well as public health personnel involved in surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory diagnosis, case management, infection prevention and control, community engagement and risk communication.
The NCDC chief assured healthcare workers that their safety, health and welfare would remain a priority throughout the response.
He also urged the management of public and private healthcare facilities nationwide to immediately review and strengthen their infection prevention and control measures.
According to him, screening and triage must be consistently implemented, while healthcare workers should maintain a high index of suspicion when treating patients with compatible symptoms and relevant exposure histories.
Idris emphasised the importance of standard precautions, including proper hand hygiene, environmental cleaning, injection safety, safe handling of sharps and appropriate waste management.
He further called on healthcare facilities to ensure adequate supplies of personal protective equipment and train staff on its correct use.
The director-general warned that suspected cases must be promptly separated from other patients and reported to the relevant public health authorities, stressing that healthcare workers should not wait for laboratory confirmation before implementing appropriate precautions.
“Protecting healthcare workers is essential to protecting the communities they serve,” he said.
