The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said Nigeria must complete a 42-day monitoring period before the country can be officially declared free of the current Ebola outbreak, following confirmation of an imported case in the Federal Capital Territory.
The requirement comes as health authorities continue monitoring people who had contact with the infected patient and strengthen surveillance to prevent further transmission.
Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, executive director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, said 53 contacts had been identified and would be monitored in accordance with established public health protocols.
The monitoring process involves a 21-day follow-up period for contacts, corresponding to the maximum incubation period used for Ebola surveillance, followed by a further 21 days before an outbreak can be declared over, provided no additional cases emerge and the relevant criteria are met.
No Active Cases Reported Following Medical Evacuation
Mohamed Janabi, WHO regional director for Africa, said Nigeria had no active Ebola cases after the infected patient and her husband were medically evacuated to Switzerland.
Janabi said Nigerian medical personnel had successfully managed the patient through the acute phase of the illness and stabilised her condition before the evacuation.
The patient had been receiving treatment in Nigeria after laboratory tests confirmed the infection.
The evacuation was requested by the patient’s country of origin, according to Ihekweazu. He stressed that the transfer should not be interpreted as evidence that Nigeria lacked the capacity to manage Ebola cases.
The development means that, although no active cases were being reported in Nigeria following the evacuation, public health authorities still had to complete contact monitoring and the required observation period before declaring the outbreak over.
Fifty-Three Contacts Identified
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) previously reported identifying 53 primary contacts linked to the confirmed case.
The contacts included healthcare workers, the patient’s domestic staff, her husband and personnel involved in collecting samples and providing medical care.
Health authorities are monitoring contacts for symptoms and maintaining surveillance to identify any possible transmission as early as possible.
The patient’s husband was also evacuated to Switzerland and identified as a contact requiring monitoring. Swiss authorities are responsible for overseeing his follow-up following the transfer.
Contact tracing remains one of the principal measures used to control Ebola outbreaks because it helps health officials identify people who may have been exposed and respond quickly if symptoms develop.
WHO Praises Nigeria’s Response
Ihekweazu praised Nigeria’s response, highlighting the speed of laboratory confirmation, genetic sequencing and the clinical management of the patient.
He said the country’s experience with previous disease outbreaks had contributed to its public health response capacity.
He also urged Nigerians to rely on information from government authorities and health agencies while the monitoring process continues.
On whether public gatherings or political rallies should be restricted, Ihekweazu said WHO advice was based on technical public health considerations rather than political circumstances.
The guidance means that restrictions should be informed by the actual risk of transmission and the recommendations of health authorities, rather than assumptions about the outbreak.
When Could Nigeria Be Declared Ebola-Free?
The 42-day period is a public health requirement, not an automatic guarantee that an outbreak will end on a particular date.
The declaration depends on whether additional confirmed or probable cases emerge, whether contacts complete the required monitoring and whether health authorities determine that the outbreak criteria have been met.
Nigerians should continue to follow official public health guidance and seek medical advice if they develop symptoms after a possible exposure.
The latest update reflects two distinct realities: Nigeria had no active cases reported following the patient’s evacuation, but surveillance and contact tracing remained necessary before the outbreak could formally be declared over.