The Nigerian Government has evacuated the Ebola index patient in the country to Switzerland, explaining that the patient’s condition had improved significantly but warned that she could still be infectious, despite the improvement in her
Penpushing reports that the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate confirmed this in a post on his official X account on Monday, explaining that the patient, whose evacuation was approved by him, departed Abuja early Monday alongside her spouse, who has remained asymptomatic.
“The index patient was clinically much improved, stable, conscious, communicating, and her clinical laboratory test results were closing towards baseline’, the Minister stated.
Penpushing further reports that Pate added that the evacuation was conducted under strict public health protocols to minimise the risk of further transmission, however, emphasized that the patient’s improved condition did not mean she was no longer infectious, stressing that strict protocols remained necessary throughout the evacuation
The Minister commended the clinical staff who provided care for the patient and the public health personnel who coordinated the transfer, adding that the evacuation was carried out in line with appropriate public health measures.
Penpushing also reports that Pate said the government would provide further updates later on Monday after the patient and her spouse arrived safely at their destination, adding that public health measures were continuing to contain the imported infection and urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and rely on credible sources of information.
The evacuation comes six days after Nigeria confirmed its first Ebola case in more than a decade, involving a 42-year-old Ugandan-born woman who lives in Abuja and returned from Uganda on October 3, 2026
Penpushing reports that she developed symptoms on October 6, 2026 and initially sought treatment at a private hospital, believing she had malaria, before being admitted to another facility.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) it would be recalled on Sunday had identified 53 contacts linked to the patient, up from the 44 initially announced, adding that the contacts include healthcare workers, household members, domestic staff, her husband and people who attended to her at a clinic before she was admitted to another facility.
Penpushing further reports that the centre said none had tested positive or developed symptoms as of the briefing, however, assured that identified contacts are being monitored for 21 days after their last possible exposure, while surveillance, laboratory testing and infection prevention measures continue to prevent further transmission.
The confirmation follows an earlier television report that the patient, a woman who is the wife of a Swiss diplomat in Nigeria, was evacuated through the private jet wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
Penpushing also reports that the television station reported that its sources had indicated that the evacuation would take place by 6 a.m. on Monday, with a medical evacuation aircraft already at the airport.
The media outlet added that its crew later observed a convoy of ambulances and diplomatic vehicles arriving from Abuja city centre and entering the airport’s private jet section.
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