Nigeria's Ebola Patient Evacuated to Switzerland Amid Monitoring

Nigeria currently has no active Ebola cases following the medical evacuation of the country's only confirmed patient and her husband to Switzerland. The patient was confirmed in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on October 20, 2026.

Health Minister Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate stated that 44 close contacts had been identified and tracing efforts were underway. Mohamed Janabi, World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director, confirmed that both individuals were airlifted earlier that day.

The evacuation was necessary as both are Swiss citizens, and Nigerian health workers had stabilized the patient after she was the index case for Nigeria’s first imported Ebola virus disease. Janabi praised the Nigerian government and health workers for their response but emphasized that vigilance is still critical.

Nigeria will continue to monitor 52 identified contacts as part of its ongoing Ebola response, while Switzerland will take over the patient's care and follow up on contact number 53, the patient's husband.