Ebola: Index case evacuated to Switzerland is stable but still infectious — Health minister

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, says Nigeria’s Ebola index case has been evacuated to Switzerland despite remaining infectious.

The minister confirmed the evacuation in a statement posted on X on Monday, following reports that the patient had left Nigeria.

“I confirm that, with my approval, earlier this morning, the index case for Nigeria’s first imported Ebola virus disease departed Abuja for Switzerland,” he said.

According to the minister, the patient was stable, conscious and able to communicate before the evacuation, while her clinical laboratory test results were approaching baseline levels.

However, he warned that the improvement in her condition did not mean she was no longer infectious.

“This does not mean she is not still infectious, hence the strict protocols in place,” he said.

The patient was evacuated alongside her spouse, who has remained asymptomatic, the minister added.

He commended the clinical personnel who treated the patient and the public health officials who coordinated the evacuation in line with established safety measures.

“I thank all the various clinical staff for the high quality care they provided the patient as well as the public health personnel who ensured the evacuation was carried out in line with best public health measures for such evacuations,” he said.