Nigeria Evacuates Ebola Patient to Switzerland for Care

The Federal Government of Nigeria confirmed the evacuation of the country's first imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease to Switzerland following significant clinical improvement. Prof. Muhammad Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, announced the evacuation on Monday, stating it was approved by him and carried out early that day.

The patient was stable, conscious, and communicating, with laboratory test results approaching baseline levels. She was accompanied by her spouse, who remained asymptomatic.

Pate praised the clinical staff for their care and emphasized the need for strict protocols as the patient could still be infectious. Nigeria confirmed its first imported case of the disease on October 20, after a woman with a travel history to Uganda tested positive.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention activated its incident management system and began contact tracing, identifying 53 contacts linked to the case. The government has intensified surveillance and urged the public to remain vigilant.