Minister of Health Ali Pate announces when Nigeria will declare itself Ebola free

Nigeria could declare its Ebola outbreak over as early as December 7, 2026, provided no additional confirmed or probable cases are detected and health authorities validate the required surveillance period.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammed Ali Pate, announced the provisional timeline on Monday following the medical evacuation of the country’s imported index patient to Switzerland for further treatment. In a post on X, Pate said the 42-day countdown remained subject to validation by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organisation.

“Following the imported Ebola index patient’s medical evacuation from Nigeria today, 26 October, our immediate priorities remain active monitoring of all identified contacts, prompt investigation of alerts and strengthened readiness across our health facilities,” he said.

The minister stressed that December 7 was a conditional target rather than a declaration that the outbreak had ended. He said any further confirmed or probable case would require a fresh countdown in accordance with the applicable criteria.

Pate added that response teams were working with the Federal Capital Territory Administration, state health authorities and partners to contain the Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak and prevent community transmission. He urged Nigerians to remain calm, cooperate with contact-tracing teams and follow official updates from the NCDC and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.