Nigeria could declare its Ebola outbreak over as early as December 7 2026 health authorities said following the medical evacuation of the imported index patient as they intensify surveillance contact tracing and emergency preparedness to prevent further transmission.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Professor Muhammad Ali Pate said this in a statement posted on X on Monday October 26 noting that the projected date depends on whether any additional confirmed or probable cases are detected.
Pate stressed that December 7 remains a provisional date subject to validation of the 42-day countdown by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
According to the Minister Nigeria’s immediate priorities after evacuating the imported index patient include actively monitoring all identified contacts promptly investigating suspected cases and strengthening preparedness across health facilities.
He explained that the country could meet the WHO criteria to declare the outbreak over if no further confirmed or probable cases emerge within the required monitoring period.
‘Any further case would require a fresh countdown in accordance with those criteria’ Pate stated underscoring the need for continued vigilance despite the encouraging development.
He noted that the anticipated December 7 timeline is tied to the 42-day countdown under WHO guidance for declaring an Ebola outbreak over and that the countdown must be validated by the relevant public health authorities making the proposed date dependent on ongoing surveillance and epidemiological assessments.
The Minister said response teams were working with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) state health authorities and partners to sustain containment efforts and prevent community transmission.
He urged Nigerians to remain calm cooperate with contact-tracing teams and rely on official updates from the NCDC and other relevant health authorities.