Nigeria has evacuated its only confirmed Ebola patient to Switzerland as health authorities intensify efforts to prevent the virus from spreading.
The 42-year-old woman was flown from Abuja to Switzerland on Monday, October 26.
She is a Swiss citizen and the wife of an employee at the Swiss embassy in Nigeria.
According to Africanews and AFP, the woman had travelled to Uganda with her husband before returning to Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Nigerian health authorities have identified 53 people who came into contact with her.
The development comes as several African countries strengthen health monitoring amid a major Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Nigeria evacuates Ebola patient after health improves
Nigeria’s Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate confirmed that the patient’s condition had improved before her evacuation.
He described her as stable, conscious and able to communicate.
Her laboratory results were also moving closer to normal levels.
However, Pate warned that her improving condition did not mean she was no longer infectious.
The woman is Nigeria’s first confirmed Ebola patient during the current regional outbreak.
She returned to Nigeria on October 3, but authorities did not announce her diagnosis until October 20.
The gap between her arrival and diagnosis has raised concerns about possible exposure.
Health officials are now working to identify and monitor people who may have come into contact with her.
Nigeria traces 53 Ebola contacts
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has identified 53 primary contacts linked to the patient.
Initially, officials identified 44 people.
However, another nine contacts were later added to the list.
NCDC Director-General Jide Idris said the first group consisted of healthcare workers.
The additional contacts include medical personnel, family members and household staff.
Authorities are monitoring these individuals for possible symptoms.
Meanwhile, a suspected Ebola case in Rivers State tested negative.
The result provided some reassurance as health officials continued their investigations.
However, authorities have not confirmed whether all 53 contacts have completed their monitoring periods.
Nigeria strengthens airport health screening
Nigeria has increased health screening for international travellers.
The measures are intended to identify possible infections before the virus spreads further.
Authorities have announced enhanced checks at international airports.
However, screening procedures appear to vary between locations.
An AFP reporter at Nigeria’s land border with Benin observed that health forms asked about fever but did not specifically mention Ebola.
Temperature checks were also absent at that crossing during the reporter’s visit.
Meanwhile, another reporter observed temperature screening at a beach resort near Lagos.
Domestic flights were not conducting additional Ebola screening at the time of reporting.
These differences highlight the challenges of maintaining consistent health monitoring across the country.
DR Congo Ebola outbreak raises regional concerns
The current Ebola outbreak began in the DRC in May 2026.
Since then, more than 4,600 people have died, according to figures cited by AFP.
The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus.
There is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for this strain.
However, medical teams can provide supportive care to manage symptoms and complications.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the outbreak is becoming increasingly complex.
Cases have now appeared in different parts of Africa.
As a result, health authorities are strengthening cooperation and disease surveillance.
Uganda and Kenya respond to Ebola threat
Uganda has also introduced additional health measures.
On Sunday, the government announced a mandatory 21-day quarantine for citizens returning from the DRC.
The decision follows concerns about possible infections entering the country.
Uganda previously recorded 20 Ebola cases, including two deaths.
However, the WHO subsequently declared the country Ebola-free.
Kenya has also reported infections linked to the regional outbreak.
Two people have died in the country.
The first reported fatality involved a Kenyan man who had been living in the DRC.
A close contact of the man later became the second reported fatality.
As of Friday, Kenyan authorities had seven Ebola patients in isolation.
How does Ebola spread?
Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person.
The virus can also spread through contaminated materials.
However, it does not spread through ordinary airborne transmission like influenza.
Symptoms may include fever, weakness, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Severe cases can lead to bleeding complications and organ failure.
According to the WHO, symptoms can take up to 21 days to appear.
Therefore, health authorities monitor exposed individuals during this period.
Early detection and medical care are important for improving outcomes and preventing further infections.
Nigeria remains on alert
Nigeria successfully contained an earlier Ebola outbreak in 2014.
However, the latest imported case has renewed concerns about the country’s preparedness.
Health authorities are now focusing on contact tracing, monitoring and stronger screening.
The evacuation of the confirmed patient to Switzerland marks another development in the response.
Nevertheless, officials remain concerned about possible infections among people who had contact with her.
For now, Nigeria has reported only one confirmed case during the current outbreak.
The country’s immediate priority is preventing further transmission while monitoring the 53 identified contacts.