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Nigeria’s index case of Ebola virus disease and her husband have been evacuated to Switzerland, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Muhammad Ali Pate confirmed on Monday.
Pate disclosed the evacuation in a post on X (formerly Twitter), explaining that the patient’s condition had improved significantly before she was flown out of Abuja earlier in the day. Her husband, who travelled with her, remained asymptomatic.
I Confirm that, with my approval, earlier this morning, the index case for Nigeria’s first imported Ebola virus disease departed Abuja for Switzerland. The index patient was clinically much improved, stable, conscious, communicating, and her clinical laboratory test results closing towards baseline. This does not mean she is not still infectious, hence the strict protocols in place.
The patient was evacuated along with her spouse who has remained asymptomatic.
I thank all the various clinical staff for the high quality care they provided the patient as well as the public health personnel who ensured the evacuation was carried out in line with best public health measures for such evacuations.
We will provide further updates later this afternoon after the patient and her spouse lands successfully in their destination.
All public health measures are continuing to ensure successful containment of the imported virus. I urge Nigerians to remain vigilant and rely on information from credible sources.— Muhammad Ali Pate (@muhammadpate) October 26, 2026
He wrote: “I confirm that, with my approval, earlier this morning, the index case for Nigeria’s first imported Ebola virus disease departed Abuja for Switzerland. The index patient was clinically much improved, stable, conscious, communicating, and her clinical laboratory test results closing towards baseline.”
According to the minister, the patient was stable, conscious and able to communicate, while her laboratory results were approaching baseline levels.
However, he cautioned that the improvement did not necessarily mean she was no longer infectious.
Pate said strict public health protocols were followed during the evacuation and commended the clinical and public health teams involved in her treatment and transfer.
He added that further updates would be provided after the patient and her husband arrived safely at their destination, while assuring Nigerians that containment measures remained in place.
‘I thank all the various clinical staff for the high quality care they provided the patient as well as the public health personnel who ensured the evacuation was carried out in line with best public health measures for such evacuations.
“We will provide further updates later this afternoon after the patient and her spouse lands successfully in their destination.
“All public health measures are continuing to ensure successful containment of the imported virus.
“I urge Nigerians to remain vigilant and rely on information from credible sources”, Pate said.
The evacuation comes as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) continues to monitor people who may have been exposed to the patient.
In its Ebola Disease Situation Report published on Sunday, the agency disclosed that 53 contacts had been identified and were being followed up.
The contacts include healthcare workers, domestic staff and the patient’s husband.
The NCDC also reported that Rivers State notified it of a suspected Ebola case on October 23, but laboratory tests returned negative.
The agency’s report traced the index patient’s movements to October 3, when the 42-year-old woman arrived in Abuja from Uganda through Addis Ababa on an international flight.
She developed symptoms four days later and sought treatment at a private health facility on October 10 before presenting at another facility the following day, where she was admitted.
The NCDC was notified on October 19, prompting an investigation and sample collection. The agency’s National Reference Laboratory confirmed the infection on October 20.
Her symptoms included fever, diarrhoea, generalised body aches and a sore throat. The report stated that she had not experienced bleeding.
Meanwhile, NCDC Director-General Jide Idris has assured Nigerians that health authorities and their partners are working to contain the outbreak and prevent further transmission.
Speaking at a press briefing on Sunday, Idris acknowledged public concern following the confirmation of the case, adding that the response was being handled urgently through established public health systems and experienced personnel.
The response involves the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the NCDC, health authorities in the Federal Capital Territory and partner organisations.
“I recognize the concern that the confirmation of Ebola may have caused among Nigerians. Ebola is a serious disease, and we are handling this situation with the urgency it deserves,” he said.
“We have a clear response plan, experienced personnel, and established public health systems that we are deploying to prevent further transmission.”
