The Federal Government has confirmed the evacuation of Nigeria’s first imported Ebola virus disease patient from Abuja to Switzerland for further medical care, while warning that the patient may still be infectious despite showing signs of improvement.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, announced the development in a statement posted on Monday, October 26, 2026, confirming that he had approved the medical evacuation earlier that morning.
“I confirm that, with my approval, earlier this morning, the index case for Nigeria’s first imported Ebola virus disease departed Abuja for Switzerland,” Pate said.
The minister explained that the patient’s condition had improved considerably before the evacuation. He said she was stable, conscious and able to communicate, while her laboratory test results were approaching baseline levels.
“The index patient was clinically much improved, stable, conscious, communicating, and her clinical laboratory test results closing towards baseline,” he stated.
However, Pate stressed that the improvement did not necessarily mean the patient could no longer transmit the virus, explaining that strict public health protocols remained in place throughout the evacuation.
“This does not mean she is not still infectious, hence the strict protocols in place,” he said.
The patient was evacuated alongside her husband, who the minister said had remained asymptomatic.
Pate commended the medical personnel who provided treatment and the public health officials who coordinated the transfer, saying the operation was conducted in accordance with appropriate precautions for such medical evacuations.
He added that the government would provide further information after the patient and her husband arrived safely at their destination.
The minister also assured Nigerians that measures to contain the imported infection were continuing, urging the public to remain vigilant and obtain information from credible sources.
The announcement followed a report by ARISE News, which said an air ambulance had departed from the private jet section of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja with the patient on board.
The broadcaster reported that its crew observed a convoy of ambulances and diplomatic vehicles entering the airport’s private aviation section, alongside a medical evacuation aircraft.
The Federal Government’s confirmation subsequently established that the patient had been flown out of Nigeria.
Nigeria confirmed its first imported case of Ebola virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory on October 20, 2026. The patient, a woman who had recently travelled from Uganda, tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus.
Health authorities had begun contact tracing and monitoring following confirmation of the infection. At the time of earlier briefings, officials reported identifying contacts who had potentially been exposed to the patient, including healthcare workers and people within her household.
Those identified were being monitored for symptoms, with public health teams assessing their exposure and arranging testing where necessary.
The evacuation comes as Nigeria continues efforts to prevent further transmission through surveillance, contact tracing, infection prevention and control measures.
Although the patient’s departure to Switzerland marks a significant development in her treatment, the health authorities have stressed that the response within Nigeria remains ongoing.
Pate urged Nigerians to continue cooperating with public health officials and to avoid spreading unverified information as authorities work to contain the outbreak.
How did this story make you feel?
Join the conversation
Share a thoughtful response. Submissions may be reviewed before appearing.
