Follow-Up: WHO Clarifies It Has Not Declared Nigeria Ebola-Free After Index Patient's Evacuation to Switzerland
The World Health Organization clarified through its official channels on October 26 that it has not declared Nigeria Ebola-free. Nigeria currently has no confirmed case of Ebola following the medical evacuation of the index patient to Switzerland. Nigeria's Health Minister, Muhammad Ali Pate, said December 7, 2026 is the earliest possible end date, if no new confirmed or probable cases emerge and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and WHO validate the count.
The index patient is a 42-year-old Swiss woman infected with the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. She had travelled from Uganda, was confirmed by the NCDC in Abuja on October 20, and was evacuated to Switzerland with her husband on October 26. Fifty-two contacts are under monitoring in Nigeria, while her husband is monitored by the Swiss authorities.
WHO explained that declaring an outbreak over requires a 42-day countdown, twice the 21-day incubation period, starting after the last confirmed patient tests negative twice or is evacuated, followed by a period of heightened surveillance. The confusion followed a post by WHO Regional Director for Africa Mohamed Janabi, and WHO called on the outlet behind the 'Ebola-free' headline to retract and correct it.
The NCDC continues to monitor contacts in Nigeria, and the 42-day countdown runs from the date of the index patient's evacuation.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 尼日利亚拉各斯的天际线。Clara Sanchiz 摄，CC BY-SA 2.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / The Lagos skyline, Nigeria. Photo by Clara Sanchiz, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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