FG says Nigeria could declare Ebola outbreak over by December 7

The Federal Government says Nigeria could declare the Ebola outbreak over as early as December 7, 2026, if no additional confirmed or possible instances are detected.

Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this in a submit on his official X web page on Monday, October 26, 2026.

He stated the proposed date depends upon the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) validating the required 42-day countdown, warning that any new case would restart the method.

The announcement follows the medical evacuation of Nigeria’s imported Ebola index affected person and her husband to Switzerland, leaving the nation with no remaining Ebola instances in response to the WHO. However, authorities should proceed surveillance and get in touch with tracing earlier than the outbreak can formally be declared over.

Nigeria targets December 7 for Ebola-free standing

Pate stated the federal government’s speedy priorities following the medical evacuation of the imported Ebola index affected person embrace monitoring recognized contacts, investigating alerts and strengthening preparedness throughout well being services.

He defined that December 7 stays a provisional date, topic to ongoing surveillance and validation by the NCDC and WHO.

• “Following the imported Ebola index patient’s medical evacuation from Nigeria today, 26 October, our immediate priorities remain active monitoring of all identified contacts, prompt investigation of alerts and strengthened readiness across our health facilities.”
• “If no further confirmed or probable cases are detected, Nigeria could progress towards declaring this outbreak over under @WHO criteria, potentially as early as 7 December 2026,” the submit learn partially.

The minister added that authorities groups had been working with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), state well being authorities and growth companions to comprise the outbreak and forestall group transmission.

He additionally urged Nigerians to stay calm, cooperate with contact-tracing groups and comply with public well being steering as authorities proceed their response.

Under WHO standards, an Ebola outbreak can usually be declared over after 42 consecutive days with out new instances, counted from the second destructive take a look at of the final confirmed affected person or the affected person’s loss of life, the place relevant.

Nigeria experiences no remaining Ebola instances

The WHO has confirmed that Nigeria currently has no Ebola cases following the medical evacuation of the index patient and her husband to Switzerland on Monday.

The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Professor Mohamed Janabi, disclosed this in a press release on his official X account, commending Nigerian well being authorities for his or her response to the an infection.

The woman, who was diagnosed with the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, was flown out of Abuja alongside her husband after her situation improved sufficiently to allow the switch underneath strict medical supervision.

• Janabi stated Nigerian healthcare professionals had stabilised the affected person after managing her by way of probably the most extreme stage of the sickness, permitting preparations for her continued remedy in Switzerland.
• “With the evacuation of the patient and her husband, Nigeria currently has no Ebola cases,” he acknowledged.
• Nigeria is sustaining surveillance of 52 recognized contacts, whereas Swiss well being authorities have assumed accountability for the affected person’s ongoing remedy and monitoring of her husband, who was listed because the 53rd contact.

The WHO official harassed that the evacuation didn’t finish Nigeria’s public well being response, as authorities should proceed monitoring people who might have been uncovered to the virus.

Nigeria’s Ebola countdown depends upon surveillance

Nigeria confirmed its first imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease on October 20, 2026, after laboratory investigations established {that a} 42-year-old lady who had not too long ago returned from Uganda contracted the an infection.

Uganda was declared Ebola-free in August 2026 after finishing the required statement interval with out extra confirmed instances, whereas Kenya has reported 9 confirmed infections and two deaths.

• Nigeria should now full the required monitoring interval earlier than the outbreak can formally be declared over. The continued surveillance of contacts is meant to determine doable infections early and forestall additional transmission.

The proposed December 7 date depends upon no extra confirmed or possible instances rising and the NCDC and WHO validating the countdown. Any new case would require a contemporary countdown consistent with WHO standards, doubtlessly pushing again the date for declaring the outbreak over.