By Ghazali Ibrahim
Nigeria’s first imported Ebola patient has been evacuated from Abuja to Switzerland alongside her husband, following a significant improvement in her medical condition.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, confirmed the evacuation on Monday, saying it was carried out earlier in the morning with his approval.
Pate said the patient was stable, conscious and able to communicate, while her laboratory test results were approaching baseline levels.
However, he warned that her improved condition did not mean she was no longer infectious.
“This does not mean she is not still infectious, hence the strict protocols in place,” the minister said.
He added that the patient’s husband, who accompanied her to Switzerland, had remained asymptomatic.
The minister commended the medical personnel who treated the patient and the public health officials who coordinated the evacuation under strict infection-control measures.
He said the government would provide further updates after the patient and her husband arrived safely at their destination.
The evacuation comes amid ongoing efforts by Nigerian health authorities to prevent further transmission of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus disease.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention had identified 53 contacts linked to the patient as of its October 24 situation report. The contacts include healthcare workers, domestic staff and the patient’s spouse.
The patient tested positive for Ebola on October 20 after returning to Nigeria from Uganda earlier in the month.
Health authorities have continued contact tracing, surveillance and other containment measures, urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and rely on credible information.
