Nigeria Ebola patient evacuated to switzerland as health minister warns of continued infection risk

Nigeria’s index case of the imported Ebola virus disease has been evacuated to Switzerland for further medical care, the Minister of Health, Ali Pate, has disclosed.

Pate said the patient departed Abuja on Monday with his approval, accompanied by her spouse, who has remained asymptomatic.

In a statement, the minister said the patient’s clinical condition had improved significantly before the evacuation, noting that she was stable, conscious and able to communicate.

He added that her laboratory test results were approaching baseline levels, indicating an improvement in her clinical condition.

However, the minister warned that the improvement did not necessarily mean the patient was no longer infectious, stressing that strict public health protocols remained in place.

“The index patient was clinically much improved, stable, conscious, communicating, and her clinical laboratory test results closing towards baseline. This does not mean she is not still infectious, hence the strict protocols in place,” Pate said.

The minister commended the medical personnel who treated the patient and public health officials who coordinated the evacuation in line with established public health measures.

He said further updates would be provided later on Monday after the patient and her spouse had arrived safely at their destination.

Pate also assured Nigerians that the government was continuing efforts to contain the imported virus, urging the public to remain vigilant and rely on credible sources of information.

“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,” he said.

The minister did not disclose further details about the circumstances surrounding the evacuation or the specific treatment arrangements made in Switzerland.

The evacuation comes as Nigerian health authorities continue to implement public health measures aimed at containing the imported case and managing potential infection risks.