Minister of Health and Social Welfare Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate on Monday confirmed the evacuation of Nigeria’s first imported Ebola patient to Switzerland warning that her improved condition does not mean she is no longer infectious.
Pate in a post on his X handle said the patient departed Abuja earlier on Monday alongside her husband who has remained asymptomatic.
He said the patient was clinically stable conscious and communicating with her laboratory test results approaching baseline levels after treatment by Nigerian medical teams.
‘ This does not mean she is not still infectious hence the strict protocols in place’ the minister said.
Pate commended the clinical staff for providing quality care and public health personnel for ensuring that the evacuation complied with appropriate public health measures.
He said the government would provide further updates after the patient and her husband arrived safely at their destination.
The health minister also urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and rely on credible sources of information assuring that measures to contain the imported virus were continuing.
The evacuation came as the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa Dr Mohamed Janabi said Nigeria currently had no Ebola cases following the transfer of the patient and her husband to Switzerland.
Janabi said Nigeria would continue monitoring 52 contacts while Switzerland would take over the patient’s medical care and monitor her husband identified as contact number 53.
He also congratulated the Federal Government health workers clinicians emergency responders and other partners involved in the response describing the successful management of the patient as a significant achievement.
He said the development demonstrated Africa’s expertise and leadership in public health emergencies particularly when countries collaborated to respond to health threats.
The WHO official however stressed that vigilance remained essential urging continued monitoring of contacts and other public health measures to prevent further transmission.