Amidst confusion over Nigeria’s Ebola status, the World Health Organisation, WHO, on Tuesday clarified that it had not declared the country Ebola-free.
Newsmata.com.ng reports that the confusion arose from a statement on Monday by Prof. Mohamed Janabi, Director of WHO Regional Office for Africa, to the effect that with the evacuation of the index case and her husband to Switzerland, “Nigeria currently has no Ebola cases.”
According to Janabi, “Earlier this morning, the Ebola patient in Nigeria and her contact, who is also her husband, were medically evacuated to Switzerland.” He explained that the couple are Swiss citizens and that the patient was clinically stable.
The WHO Director said, “The Nigerian medical team successfully managed her through the acute phase of the illness and stabilized her condition.
“On behalf of WHO and all partners, I warmly congratulate the Government of Nigeria, health workers, clinicians, emergency responders and all those involved in the response.
“This is a remarkable achievement and a testament to what Africa can accomplish when we work together. With the evacuation of the patient and her husband, Nigeria currently has no Ebola cases.”
However, clarifying the issue, the WHO, in a statement, stressed that, “that Nigeria currently has no Ebola cases” did not mean the country has been declared Ebola-free.
The statement emphasised that “WHO has not declared Nigeria Ebola‑free. Nigeria currently has no confirmed case of Ebola following the medical evacuation of the index patient to Switzerland. Health officials are closely monitoring 52 contacts who may have been exposed.”
The organisation further clarified that under the International Health Regulations, a country can only be declared Ebola‑free after a 42‑day countdown following the last confirmed case testing negative twice for the virus or, in this situation, after the evacuation of the confirmed case.
“This period is then followed by heightened surveillance,” the WHO added in the statement made available to TNG.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, had earlier disclosed that further updates would be provided after the patient and her spouse lands successfully in their destination.