WHO Says Nigeria Must Complete 42-Day Monitoring Period Before Ebola-Free Declaration

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said Nigeria must complete a 42-day monitoring period before it can be declared free of Ebola following the confirmation of a case in the country.

The Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, said the period would involve monitoring identified contacts of the infected patient for 21 days, followed by an additional 21 days in line with established protocols.

The clarification comes after the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Mohamed Janabi, announced on Monday that 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. He added that Switzerland had assumed responsibility for her continued treatment and the monitoring of her husband, who was identified as the 53rd contact.

According to the WHO official, 52 contacts remain in Nigeria and will continue to be monitored by local health authorities, while Swiss authorities will oversee the husband’s monitoring.

Speaking during an interview with ARISE News on Wednesday, Ihekweazu explained that the evacuation did not reflect any weakness in Nigeria’s capacity to manage Ebola. He said the transfer was carried out at the request of the patient’s country of origin.

He also commended Nigeria’s response to the case, highlighting the speed of laboratory confirmation and genetic sequencing, as well as the medical care provided to the patient. He described the response as consistent with the recommended measures for managing the disease.

Ihekweazu explained that Ebola belongs to a group of infections known as viral haemorrhagic fevers, for which every confirmed case requires a coordinated public health response. He said the immediate priority was to monitor all identified contacts daily, identify any further transmission as early as possible and respond promptly if additional cases emerged.

Addressing concerns about political rallies and other public gatherings, the WHO official said the organisation had not recommended additional restrictions. He stressed that its guidance was based on technical public health assessments rather than political considerations.

Ihekweazu urged Nigerians to trust the government and relevant health agencies, adding that the WHO would continue supporting the country’s response. He expressed confidence in the measures taken so far and called for the situation to be handled as a public health matter.

Nigeria’s Ebola-free status will therefore depend on completing the required monitoring period and meeting the applicable public health criteria, according to the explanation provided by the WHO official.