Nigeria has evacuated its first confirmed Ebola patient to Switzerland for further medical care as health authorities intensify efforts to contain the virus and prevent additional infections.
The 42-year-old woman, who tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus disease, departed Abuja on Monday, October 26, 2026, aboard a medical evacuation flight, according to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate.
The patient, who is the wife of a Swiss diplomat stationed in Abuja, was accompanied by her husband, who has remained without symptoms.
Pate confirmed that the evacuation was carried out with his approval after the patient’s clinical condition improved significantly. He said she was stable, conscious and able to communicate, while her laboratory results were approaching normal levels.
However, the minister cautioned that her improved condition did not necessarily mean she was no longer infectious. He said strict safety procedures were followed to protect the public during the transfer.
The minister also commended the medical personnel who cared for the patient and the public health teams responsible for coordinating the evacuation.
Health Authorities Monitor 53 Contacts
The evacuation comes as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) continues contact-tracing activities to prevent further transmission of the virus.
As of October 25, health officials had identified 53 contacts linked to the confirmed case. Those being monitored include healthcare workers, domestic staff and the patient’s husband.
The patient reportedly arrived in Nigeria from Uganda on October 3 and developed symptoms on October 7. She sought medical attention at private health facilities in Abuja before laboratory testing confirmed the infection on October 20.
Health authorities are monitoring identified contacts for 21 days following their last possible exposure, while investigations continue to establish how the patient contracted the virus.
The NCDC has also strengthened surveillance at major international airports, including those in Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Kano and Port Harcourt, as part of efforts to identify suspected cases early.
Government Intensifies Ebola Response
The Federal Government has continued to coordinate the national response through the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the NCDC, health authorities in the Federal Capital Territory and international partners.
Measures include contact tracing, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, surveillance and the provision of appropriate medical care.
Health officials have urged Nigerians to cooperate with public health teams, report possible exposure promptly and avoid spreading unverified information about the outbreak.
Ebola is a serious viral disease that can spread through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person or contaminated materials.
The Bundibugyo strain responsible for the current infection has no approved vaccine or specific treatment, making supportive medical care and strict infection-control measures particularly important.
Authorities have maintained that the immediate priority is to prevent further transmission, protect healthcare workers and ensure that anyone who may have been exposed receives appropriate monitoring.
