The World Health Organisation (WHO) says Nigeria must complete a 42-day monitoring period before it can be officially declared Ebola-free, following the confirmation of an Ebola case in the country.
The Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, explained that the process involves monitoring all 53 identified contacts of the infected patient for 21 days, followed by an additional 21-day period, in accordance with established public health protocols.
In a post on X on Monday, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Mohamed Janabi, announced that Nigeria had no active Ebola cases after the infected patient and her husband were medically evacuated to Switzerland.
Janabi said the patient had been stabilised by Nigerian medical personnel and was in a clinically stable condition. He added that Swiss authorities would take over her continued medical care and monitor her husband, who was identified as the 53rd contact.
He praised the Nigerian medical team for managing the patient during the acute phase of the illness and successfully stabilising her condition.
Despite the evacuation, Janabi noted that Nigerian health authorities would continue monitoring the 52 contacts remaining in the country, while Switzerland would be responsible for following up with the patient’s husband.
Speaking during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Wednesday, Ihekweazu stressed that the 42-day monitoring requirement must be fulfilled before Nigeria can receive an official Ebola-free declaration.
He described the timeline as a standard WHO protocol applied internationally in similar situations.
The WHO official also dismissed suggestions that the patient’s evacuation was caused by inadequate medical facilities or a lack of expertise in Nigeria.
According to him, the transfer was made at the request of the patient’s country of origin and did not reflect any deficiency in Nigeria’s capacity to manage the disease.
Ihekweazu explained that Ebola, which belongs to a group of illnesses known as viral haemorrhagic fevers, requires an immediate and coordinated response whenever a case is confirmed.
He said the WHO had raised the alarm and supported the Nigerian government in implementing the necessary measures to contain the situation.
Commending Nigeria’s response, Ihekweazu highlighted the speed of laboratory confirmation and genetic sequencing, alongside the medical care provided to the patient.
He described the country’s handling of the case as commendable, noting that the response measures had largely followed the recommended guidelines.
On concerns about political rallies and other public gatherings, Ihekweazu said the WHO had not recommended additional restrictions, explaining that its guidance was based on technical public health assessments rather than political considerations.
He assured Nigerians that the organisation would continue supporting the government throughout the response.
The WHO official said the immediate priority was to monitor every identified contact daily, identify any potential new infections as early as possible and ensure that any further transmission was promptly addressed.
Ihekweazu also urged Nigerians to trust the government and relevant health agencies, emphasising the importance of keeping the response focused on public health rather than allowing the incident to become politicised.
He expressed confidence that continued cooperation between Nigerian authorities and the WHO would help bring the situation under control.
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