Nigeria could end Ebola outbreak by 7 December, Pate says

Nigeria could declare its Ebola outbreak over as early as 7 December if no further confirmed or probable cases are detected, the federal government says.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Muhammad Ali Pate said in a post on Monday that the date remained provisional, subject to NCDC and the World Health Organisation (WHO) validating the required 42-day countdown.

For identified contacts, monitoring will continue while public-health teams investigate alerts and strengthen readiness across health facilities, Pate said.

The announcement follows the evacuation of the patient and her husband to Switzerland. Nigeria confirmed the case in the Federal Capital Territory on 20 October after the patient arrived from Uganda.

Pate said teams were working with the Federal Capital Territory Administration, state health authorities and partners to contain the infection and prevent community transmission.

Any further case would require a fresh countdown under WHO criteria, he said. The proposed December date is therefore not a declaration that the outbreak has ended.

Sources: Muhammad Ali Pate’s statement; Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare; Daily Trust; Channels Television