WHO: Nigeria Needs 42 Days of Monitoring to Be Declared Ebola-Free
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says Nigeria must complete a 42-day monitoring period before it can be declared free of Ebola following a confirmed case in the country. Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, said the 53 identified contacts of the patient must undergo 21 days of monitoring, followed by another 21-day period in line with established protocols. The clarification comes after WHO Regional Director for Africa, Mohamed Janabi, said Nigeria had no active Ebola cases following the medical evacuation of the infected patient and her husband to Switzerland. Janabi said the patient was clinically stable after receiving treatment from Nigerian medical personnel, while Swiss authorities would oversee her continued care and monitor her husband, who was identified as contact number 53. Ihekweazu, speaking on ARISE News on Wednesday, stressed that the evacuation was requested by the patient’s country of origin and did not reflect any lack of capacity in Nigeria’s healthcare system. He also explained that every confirmed Ebola case requires a coordinated response because the disease belongs to a group of infections known as viral haemorrhagic fevers.
Ihekweazu commended Nigeria’s response, citing the speed of laboratory confirmation and genetic sequencing, as well as the management of the patient. He said health authorities were continuing to monitor the identified contacts daily to detect any possible transmission early and respond promptly. The WHO official also said the organisation had not recommended further restrictions on political rallies or other public gatherings, explaining that its advice was based on technical public health assessments rather than political considerations. He urged Nigerians to trust the government and relevant health agencies as they continue to manage the situation. Although the patient and her husband have been evacuated, authorities must complete the required monitoring and ensure no further transmission occurs before Nigeria can be declared Ebola-free. The 42-day period is part of the established protocol for confirming that an outbreak has ended, while ongoing surveillance remains essential to identifying any new cases quickly.
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