Nigeria’s index patient in the country’s first imported case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) has been evacuated to Switzerland alongside her husband, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, has confirmed.

Pate disclosed this on Monday through his verified X handle, revealing that the patient’s condition had significantly improved before she was flown out of the country.

According to the minister, the 42-year-old woman was stable, conscious and able to communicate, while her laboratory test results were approaching baseline levels.

“I confirm that, with my approval, earlier this morning, the index case for Nigeria’s first imported Ebola virus disease departed Abuja for Switzerland. The index patient was clinically much improved, stable, conscious, communicating, and her clinical laboratory test results closing towards baseline,” Pate stated.

However, the minister cautioned that the patient’s clinical improvement did not necessarily mean she was no longer infectious, stressing that strict public health protocols were implemented to ensure the safe evacuation.

He added that the patient’s husband, who travelled with her, remained asymptomatic at the time of departure.

Pate commended the healthcare professionals who provided treatment and the public health personnel who coordinated the evacuation in line with appropriate safety measures.

He also assured Nigerians that the government would provide further updates after the patient and her husband arrived safely at their destination.

“All public health measures are continuing to ensure successful containment of the imported virus. I urge Nigerians to remain vigilant and rely on information from credible sources,” the minister said.

The evacuation comes as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) intensifies efforts to contain the imported infection and prevent further transmission.

In its Ebola Disease Situation Report dated October 24, 2026, the agency disclosed that 53 contacts linked to the index case had been identified, categorised and placed under follow-up.

The contacts include healthcare workers, domestic staff and the patient’s spouse.

The NCDC also reported that Rivers State notified it of a suspected Ebola case on October 23, but laboratory results subsequently returned negative for the disease.

Providing further details, the agency said the index patient returned from Uganda through Addis Ababa on October 3, 2026, arriving in Abuja on an international flight.

She reportedly developed symptoms four days later and sought medical attention at a private health facility on October 10 before presenting at another facility on October 11, where she was admitted.

The agency said it was notified of the case on October 19, leading to an investigation and sample collection. The NCDC National Reference Laboratory confirmed the infection on October 20.

Her symptoms included fever, diarrhoea, generalised body aches and sore throat, although no bleeding was reported.

Meanwhile, NCDC Director-General, Dr. Jide Idris, has reassured Nigerians that the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the NCDC, FCT health authorities and relevant partners, is fully committed to containing the outbreak.

Speaking at a press briefing on Sunday, Idris acknowledged public concerns over the confirmed case but maintained that the country had the personnel, response plan and public health structures required to prevent further infections.

“I recognise the concern that the confirmation of Ebola may have caused among Nigerians. Ebola is a serious disease, and we are handling this situation with the urgency it deserves,” he said.

“We have a clear response plan, experienced personnel, and established public health systems that we are deploying to prevent further transmission.”

With the index patient now evacuated, Nigerian health authorities continue to focus on contact tracing, surveillance and other containment measures, as the government urges the public to remain vigilant and rely on verified information from credible health authorities.