Nigeria’s Ebola index patient has arrived in Switzerland for treatment, while health authorities continue monitoring 52 identified contacts in the country following her evacuation with her husband. The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, confirmed on Monday that Swiss authorities had received the patient and her husband safely. The patient is receiving […]
Nigeria’s Ebola index patient has arrived in Switzerland for treatment, while health authorities continue monitoring 52 identified contacts in the country following her evacuation with her husband.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, confirmed on Monday that Swiss authorities had received the patient and her husband safely. The patient is receiving treatment at Geneva University Hospitals, while her husband has been placed in isolation at University Hospital Zurich.
Pate said the evacuation was facilitated through cooperation between Nigerian and Swiss authorities and the World Health Organisation (WHO). He also acknowledged the efforts of Nigerian health professionals who provided medical care to the patient before her transfer to Switzerland.
The minister said Switzerland had expressed appreciation for the care provided by Nigerian health professionals and the close collaboration between both countries and the WHO. He also thanked the medical teams and public health agencies involved in facilitating the evacuation and managing the case.
Despite the patient’s transfer, Pate stressed that Nigeria’s response to the imported infection remained active. He said contact monitoring, investigations into alerts and other containment measures were continuing with support from Africa CDC and the WHO Regional Office for Africa.
The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi, had earlier said Nigeria currently had no active Ebola cases following the evacuation of the patient and her husband. He, however, emphasised that the development did not remove the need for continued surveillance and contact tracing.
According to the WHO update, 52 identified contacts are being monitored in Nigeria, while Swiss authorities are responsible for following up with the patient’s husband, who has been identified as contact number 53. Health officials continue to monitor contacts as part of efforts to prevent further transmission.
Before the evacuation, Pate disclosed that the patient’s condition had improved considerably, describing her as stable, conscious and able to communicate. He also said her laboratory test results were approaching baseline levels before she was transferred for further treatment in Switzerland.
However, the minister cautioned that the patient’s improved condition did not necessarily mean she was no longer infectious. He explained that strict public health protocols were followed during the evacuation to reduce the risk of transmission and protect those involved in the transfer.
Nigeria confirmed its first imported Ebola virus disease case in the Federal Capital Territory on October 20, following the patient’s travel from Uganda. Health authorities identified the infection as the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus and activated surveillance, contact tracing and other response measures.
Meanwhile, the Kebbi State Ministry of Health has announced plans to introduce passenger screening at designated border points and the Ahmadu Bello International Airport in Birnin Kebbi. The proposed measures are aimed at strengthening disease surveillance, improving preparedness and supporting the early detection of suspected Ebola cases.