WHO Sets 42-Day Monitoring Period Before Nigeria Can 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 the confirmation of a case in the country.

Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, said the 53 identified contacts of the infected patient must undergo monitoring in line with established protocols to ensure there is no further transmission.

Speaking during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Wednesday, Ihekweazu explained that the monitoring process involves following contacts for 21 days, followed by another 21-day period before Nigeria can be declared Ebola-free.

The development comes after 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 would take responsibility for her continued care and the monitoring of her husband, who was identified as contact number 53.

“The Nigerian medical team successfully managed her through the acute phase of the illness and stabilised her condition,” Janabi said, adding that Nigeria currently had no Ebola cases following their evacuation.

However, he noted that 52 contacts would remain under monitoring in Nigeria, while Swiss authorities would oversee the patient’s husband.

Ihekweazu clarified that the evacuation was carried out at the request of the patient’s country of origin and did not reflect any lack of capacity to manage Ebola in Nigeria. He commended the country’s response, highlighting the speed of laboratory confirmation and genetic sequencing, as well as the treatment provided to the patient.

The WHO official explained that Ebola belongs to a group of diseases known as viral haemorrhagic fevers, which require coordinated responses even when a single case is confirmed. He said the organisation had supported Nigeria in implementing the necessary response measures and described the country’s case management as excellent.

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

He said the immediate priority was to monitor every identified contact daily, detect any further transmission as early as possible and respond promptly if additional cases emerged. He also urged Nigerians to trust the government and health agencies handling the response, expressing confidence in their efforts to contain the situation.