The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, has revealed that Nigeria could be declared Ebola-free by December 7, 2026, only if no new cases are confirmed, subject to the 42-day countdown by the World Health Organisation.
He, however, said any further case would require a fresh countdown “in accordance” with the WHO criteria.
Pate stated this on Monday via his X handle.
The minister had confirmed the departure of the Swiss patient and her spouse via an air ambulance to Switzerland also on Monday. He said both were Swiss citizens, adding that the patient was clinically stable following treatment by Nigerian medical personnel.
PUNCH Online also reported that the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Prof. Mohamed Janabi, said Nigeria currently has no Ebola cases following the medical evacuation of the infected patient and her husband to Switzerland.
However, Pate’s tweet read, “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
The minister also stated that according to Swiss authorities, the patient and her spouse arrived safely in Switzerland, adding that she is receiving care at Geneva University Hospitals, while her spouse is in isolation at University Hospital Zurich.
“In our telephone conversation, Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider conveyed Switzerland’s appreciation for the care provided by Nigerian health professionals and the close cooperation between our authorities and #WHO that made the evacuation possible,” the tweet read.
Pate stated that contact monitoring, investigation of alerts and other containment measures will continue in Nigeria, with support.
