Nigeria evacuates Ebola patient to Switzerland and traces 53 contacts
Nigeria has evacuated its only confirmed Ebola patient, a 42-year-old woman, to Switzerland where she holds citizenship. The Nigerian health authorities have identified 53 contacts and stepped up airport screenings to contain the virus, part of a complex outbreak affecting several African countries.
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Nigeria evacuated its only confirmed Ebola patient, a 42-year-old woman and wife of a Swiss embassy staff member, by air from Abuja to Switzerland, her country of citizenship, on Monday.
The patient had traveled in Uganda with her husband before returning to Nigeria. According to Nigerian Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate, her condition is much improved and stable, though she remains infectious.
Authorities in Nigeria have identified 53 contacts of the patient, including healthcare workers, family, and household staff, and have intensified contact tracing and airport screenings to prevent further spread.
The Ebola outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain, which has no vaccine or specific treatment, and has caused over 4,600 deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since May. Nigeria had previously controlled an Ebola outbreak successfully twelve years ago.
Enhanced screening measures are in place at international airports, although land border checks remain limited. Domestic flights currently do not conduct Ebola screening.