The Federal Government has confirmed the medical evacuation of Nigeria’s first imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) to Switzerland following significant improvements in the patient’s clinical condition.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, disclosed the development on Monday in a post on his official X handle.
According to Pate, the evacuation was carried out early Monday morning following his approval. The patient was accompanied on the flight by her spouse, who remains asymptomatic.
Providing an update on her medical status, the minister noted that the patient is currently stable, conscious, communicating, and showing promising diagnostic trends.
“The index patient was clinically much improved, stable, conscious, communicating, and her clinical laboratory test results closing towards baseline,” Pate stated. “This does not mean she is not still infectious, hence the strict protocols in place.”
He commended the clinical team for providing high-quality care and praised public health personnel for ensuring the evacuation strictly adhered to international public health and safety protocols.
Nigeria confirmed its first imported case of the Bundibugyo Ebola strain on Oct. 20, after laboratory tests confirmed the virus in a woman who had recently traveled from Uganda.
Data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) revealed that the patient arrived in Nigeria on Oct. 3, began displaying symptoms on Oct. 7, and subsequently sought medical care at a health facility in Abuja on Oct. 11.
Following the confirmation, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) activated its Incident Management System, initiating rapid contact tracing, laboratory surveillance, and infection control measures.
According to an NCDC situation report released on Oct. 24, health authorities identified 53 contacts linked to the case comprising healthcare workers, domestic staff, and the patient’s husband. None of the contacts had tested positive at the time of the report.
On Oct. 23, Prof. Pate revealed that genomic sequencing performed on the isolated virus indicated a close genetic relationship to the Ebola strain identified in Kenya’s index case. He clarified, however, that the genetic similarity does not automatically confirm a direct transmission chain between the two cases.
The minister assured the public that robust public health measures remain active across the country to prevent secondary transmission and contain the imported threat. The Federal Government has intensified screening at all entry points, reinforced infection prevention protocols across health facilities, and directed healthcare personnel to report suspected cases immediately.
Pate urged Nigerians to remain vigilant, observe recommended hygiene practices, cooperate with health officials, and rely exclusively on official sources for updates. Further updates will be issued once the patient and her spouse land safely in Switzerland.
