Nigeria Could Declare Ebola-Free by December 7 – Pate

Nigeria could declare its Ebola outbreak over as early as December 7, 2026, provided no further confirmed or probable cases are detected and the country meets the conditions set by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, has said.

“If no further confirmed or probable cases are detected, Nigeria could progress towards declaring this outbreak over under WHO criteria, potentially as early as 7 December 2026,” Pate wrote in a post on his X handle on Monday evening.

He added that the date remains “provisional.”

Pate noted that the date would depend on the outcome of contact monitoring and validation of the required 42-day countdown by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the WHO.

Following the imported Ebola index patient’s medical evacuation from Nigeria today, 26 October, our immediate priorities remain active monitoring of all identified contacts, prompt investigation of alerts and strengthened readiness across our health facilities.

If no further confirmed or probable cases are detected, Nigeria could progress towards declaring this outbreak over under @WHO criteria, potentially as early as 7 December 2026. This date remains provisional, subject to @NCDCgov and WHO validating the 42-day countdown. Any further case would require a fresh countdown in accordance with those criteria.

Our teams, working with FCTA and state health authorities and our partners, remain focused on containment and preventing community transmission. I ask Nigerians to remain calm, cooperate with contact-tracing teams and follow regular updates from @NCDCgov and @Fmohnigeria.

@OfficialFCTA @WHONigeria @WHOAFRO @WHO @AfricaCDC @DrPavelUrsu @ProfJanabi @CDCgov @Dr_JeanKaseya @christian_happi @alikothe3rd @SalakoIziaq

— Muhammad Ali Pate (@muhammadpate) October 26, 2026

The outbreak was confirmed in Abuja on October 20, involving a patient who recently travelled from Uganda.

Authorities are currently monitoring 53 primary contacts. Under WHO guidelines, an outbreak can be declared over after 42 consecutive days without a new case.

The announcement follows the medical evacuation of the patient and her husband to Switzerland on Monday.

Pate noted the patient is clinically stable and her laboratory results are approaching baseline levels.

Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health said the patient is being treated at Geneva University Hospital, while her husband is isolated at Zurich University Hospital.

Swiss authorities stated the situation poses no risk to public health in the country, noting the facilities are equipped with specialised isolation wards.