The Ebola patient evacuated from Nigeria to Switzerland is reportedly in stable condition after showing significant clinical improvement, according to the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate. The medical evacuation took place on Monday, October 26, 2026, as Nigerian health authorities continued investigating how she contracted the virus and worked to prevent further transmission.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, confirmed the evacuation on Monday, October 26, 2026. He said the patient departed Abuja with his approval and received medical care under strict public health protocols.
Pate reported that the woman’s condition had improved significantly before the transfer. She was stable, conscious and able to communicate. Her laboratory test results were also approaching baseline levels.
However, the minister warned that her clinical improvement did not necessarily mean she was no longer infectious. Health officials therefore maintained strict precautions throughout the evacuation.
The patient travelled with her husband, who remained asymptomatic. Pate thanked the medical team that treated her and the public health personnel who coordinated the transfer.
He also said the government would provide further updates after the couple arrived safely in Switzerland. Meanwhile, Nigeria continues to implement measures aimed at preventing further transmission.
Ebola Patient Evacuation Comes as Contact Tracing Continues
The evacuation comes as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) intensifies its response to the country’s first confirmed imported Ebola case in more than a decade.
The agency confirmed the infection on October 20 after laboratory tests detected the Bundibugyo virus in the patient. According to health authorities, the 42-year-old woman travelled from Uganda through Addis Ababa before arriving in Abuja earlier in October.
She developed symptoms several days after her arrival and sought treatment at private health facilities in the Federal Capital Territory.
In its October 25 update, the NCDC reported that authorities had identified 53 contacts linked to the confirmed case. These include healthcare workers, household members and other people who may have encountered the patient.
Health teams are monitoring identified contacts and investigating possible exposure. The agency has also strengthened surveillance and infection prevention measures to reduce the risk of further infections.
Investigation Into Source of Infection Continues
Despite the evacuation, investigators are still working to establish how the patient contracted the virus. Health authorities are examining her travel history and possible links to other reported infections.
The Bundibugyo virus is a type of Ebola virus that can cause severe illness. Identifying the source of infection could help investigators understand the circumstances surrounding Nigeria’s case and guide the public health response.
Authorities have urged Nigerians to remain calm, cooperate with public health officials and rely on verified information. They have also stressed the importance of promptly reporting suspected symptoms to health professionals.
For now, contact tracing, surveillance and monitoring remain central to Nigeria’s efforts to prevent further transmission.
