Michael Odetunde
The World Health Organization, WHO has declared Nigeria free of Ebola cases following the evacuation of the index patient to Switzerland for continued medical care.
The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi, disclosed this in a statement posted on his verified X handle on Monday.
Janabi said Nigeria would continue monitoring 52 contacts, while Switzerland would assume responsibility for the patient’s continued treatment and monitor her husband, who is the 53rd contact.
He noted that the patient was clinically stable after Nigerian medical teams successfully managed her through the acute phase of the illness and stabilised her condition.
“Nigeria is now Ebola-free following the evacuation of the index patient to Switzerland.
“Nigeria would maintain close follow-up of 52 contacts, while Switzerland would assume responsibility for the continued management of the patient and monitoring of contact number 53, her husband,” Janabi said.
Recall that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC had earlier confirmed an imported Ebola case linked to Uganda and placed 53 contacts under surveillance in Abuja.
The continued monitoring of the identified contacts is aimed at ensuring that any potential further transmission is detected promptly.
