Nigeria has evacuated its 42-year-old index Ebola patient to Switzerland for further medical care, with authorities confirming that she remains infectious despite showing significant clinical improvement.

Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, confirmed that the patient departed Abuja for Switzerland earlier on Monday with his approval.

In a statement shared on X, Pate said the woman was stable, conscious and communicating, with laboratory results showing signs of returning towards baseline.

I Confirm that, with my approval, earlier this morning, the index case for Nigeria’s first imported Ebola virus disease departed Abuja for Switzerland. The index patient was clinically much improved, stable, conscious, communicating, and her clinical laboratory test results… https://t.co/pFXYkGanrS

— Muhammad Ali Pate (@muhammadpate) October 26, 2026

However, he warned that she remained infectious, necessitating strict public health protocols throughout the evacuation.

The patient was accompanied by her spouse, who has remained asymptomatic, according to the minister.

Pate commended the clinical staff for providing what he described as high-quality care, as well as public health personnel who ensured the transfer complied with best-practice measures.

He said he would provide further updates later in the afternoon, after the patient and her spouse arrived in Switzerland.

Meanwhile, Nigerian authorities said public health measures remained in place to contain the imported case.

Pate urged Nigerians to stay vigilant and rely on credible sources as health officials continue efforts to prevent further transmission.