Nigeria’s Ebola Patient Shows Signs of Recovery

The Nigerian government says the patient diagnosed with Ebola in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, is showing signs of recovery, days after authorities confirmed the case.

The Federal Ministry of Health disclosed this in a statement posted on its official X account on Friday, adding that there was currently no evidence of community transmission.

“The Nigerian government has provided an update on the confirmed Ebola case in Nigeria, reporting that the patient is showing signs of recovery. There is currently no evidence of community spread,” the ministry said.

It added that contact tracing, quarantine and monitoring were continuing alongside strengthened national coordination, health facility preparedness and other public health measures.

The ministry urged Nigerians to follow recommended precautions, rely on information from recognised health authorities and avoid sharing unverified reports.

The update came days after the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) announced that the patient, a Ugandan-born woman, had developed multi-organ failure after contracting Ebola.

The agency also said it had identified 44 contacts for monitoring.

Authorities confirmed that the patient was infected with the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, which is responsible for the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo). No approved vaccines or specific treatments exist for the strain.

Swiss Embassy Staff Member’s Wife Infected

Switzerland’s foreign ministry disclosed on Friday that the patient was the wife of a Swiss staff member at the country’s embassy in Abuja.

“The Swiss woman, who is symptomatic, has been hospitalised for about a week at a private clinic in Abuja,” the ministry said in a statement.

It added that the infection might have occurred during a trip to Uganda approximately two weeks earlier.

“The infection may have occurred during a trip to Uganda approximately two weeks ago,” the Swiss authorities said.

According to the statement, the woman’s husband, who accompanied her on the trip, was in isolation but had not developed symptoms.

“Neither individual travelled” to the DR Congo, the statement added.

The Swiss foreign ministry also said the embassy’s 25 other staff members, comprising eight Swiss nationals and 17 local employees, were doing well.

Following consultations with Nigeria’s health ministry and the World Health Organisation (WHO), the staff members were not required to enter isolation, the statement said.

Switzerland Considers Patient’s Repatriation

The Swiss government said it was considering repatriating the patient to Switzerland.

The development comes as Nigerian health authorities continue contact tracing, monitoring and other public health measures to prevent further transmission.

Although the government has reported no evidence of community spread, surveillance and monitoring efforts remain ongoing as authorities follow up with identified contacts.

Health officials have urged the public to rely on verified information and follow guidance issued by recognised health authorities.