The World Health Organisation’s Regional Director for Africa, Professor Mohamed Janabi, has said Nigeria currently has no Ebola cases following the medical evacuation of an infected Swiss patient and her husband to Switzerland.
Janabi disclosed this in a post on X on Monday, confirming that the pair had been evacuated earlier in the day.
The development followed an announcement by Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, who confirmed that the Swiss citizens had departed Nigeria aboard an air ambulance.
According to Janabi, the patient was clinically stable after receiving treatment from Nigerian medical personnel, who successfully managed her through the acute phase of the illness.
“With the evacuation of the patient and her husband, Nigeria currently has no Ebola cases,” he stated.
The WHO regional director congratulated the Federal Government, health workers, clinicians, emergency responders and other partners involved in managing the case.
He described the response as a significant achievement, highlighting the expertise and cooperation demonstrated by Nigeria’s health professionals.
However, Janabi stressed that continued vigilance remained necessary despite the patient’s evacuation.
He said Nigerian health authorities would maintain close follow-up of 52 contacts, while Swiss authorities would assume responsibility for the continued management of the patient and monitoring of her husband, identified as contact number 53.
Janabi described the response as evidence of Africa’s capacity to manage public health emergencies through collaboration, resilience and effective leadership.