Home / Health / WHO Clarifies Nigeria's Ebola Status Post-Evacuation
WHO Clarifies Nigeria's Ebola Status Post-Evacuation
6 Nov
Summary
- Nigeria has no confirmed Ebola cases after patient evacuation.
- WHO requires 42 days without new cases to declare an outbreak over.
- Over 5,300 people have died in the latest Ebola outbreak in Africa.
As of November 6, 2026, Nigeria has no confirmed Ebola cases after its only patient was medically evacuated to Switzerland on October 26. The World Health Organization (WHO) clarified that the country has not been declared Ebola-free, a status requiring 42 consecutive days without any new confirmed or probable cases. This period is twice the virus's maximum incubation period, allowing for close monitoring.
The recent Ebola outbreak, primarily affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo, has resulted in over 5,300 fatalities and more than 10,444 confirmed cases since mid-May. The Bundibugyo strain is responsible for the current outbreak, which has also spread to Kenya and Uganda.
Nigeria's first case involved a Swiss woman who contracted the virus after traveling from Uganda. Health officials in Nigeria are currently monitoring 52 contacts. If no new cases emerge, Nigeria could potentially declare the end of its outbreak by December 7, following the WHO's established criteria.
