By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
The Nigeria’s confirmed Ebola index case has been medically evacuated from Abuja to Switzerland, following approval by Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.
The forty-two-year-old patient, whose case marked Nigeria’s first imported Ebola virus disease case, was transferred alongside her spouse, who has remained asymptomatic.
In a statement posted on his X handle, Professor Pate said the patient was clinically much improved, stable, conscious and able to communicate, with laboratory test results approaching baseline levels.
However, the Minister cautioned that the patient’s clinical improvement does not necessarily mean she is no longer infectious, stressing that strict public health protocols remain in place.
He commended the clinical teams for providing quality care and public health personnel for ensuring that the evacuation was conducted in line with established safety measures.
The Minister also said further updates would be provided after the patient and her spouse arrived safely at their destination.
As Nigeria continues efforts to contain the imported infection, public health measures remain in place, with the Minister urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and rely on credible sources of information.
