Nigeria’s Ebola index patient and her husband have departed Abuja for Switzerland, health minister Muhammad Ali Pate confirmed on Monday, October 26.
Pate said the patient had improved clinically and was stable, conscious and communicating before the evacuation, which he approved. Her husband had remained without symptoms.
The minister cautioned that the patient’s improvement did not mean she was no longer infectious. He said strict public health protocols were used during the evacuation and that containment measures in Nigeria were continuing.
Channels Television reported Pate’s confirmation from his X account. He thanked the clinical staff who cared for the patient and the public health personnel who oversaw the evacuation.
Earlier, Premium Times and Punch carried ARISE News reports of an air ambulance leaving the private jet wing of Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. ARISE said its crew saw ambulances and diplomatic vehicles arrive before the aircraft departed.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention had identified 53 contacts linked to the case, including health workers, domestic staff and the patient’s spouse. Contacts are being assessed and followed up for 21 days from their last possible exposure.
NaijaTrend previously reported the contact-tracing measures and weekly support for people in isolation or quarantine here. The agency confirmed the Abuja case on October 20.
Pate said a further update would follow after the patient and her spouse arrived at their destination. He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and rely on credible information.
Sources: Channels Television, Premium Times, Punch
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