Nigeria may officially declare itself free from the recent Ebola outbreak by December 7, 2026, contingent upon the absence of new confirmed or probable cases. This announcement was made by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammed Ali Pate, following the medical evacuation of the country's first Ebola patient to Switzerland for further treatment.

In a post shared on X, Pate emphasized that the 42-day countdown to potentially declaring the outbreak over is subject to validation by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). He stated, "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."

The minister clarified that the December 7 target is conditional and does not signify an official end to the outbreak. Should any new confirmed or probable cases arise, a new countdown will be initiated in accordance with established health protocols.

Pate further noted that health response teams are collaborating closely with the Federal Capital Territory Administration, state health authorities, and various partners to manage the Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak effectively. He urged the public to remain calm and to cooperate fully with contact-tracing teams while staying informed through official channels from the NCDC and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

This proactive approach aims to mitigate the risk of community transmission and ensure that all necessary precautions are in place as the country navigates this health crisis. The Nigerian government remains committed to safeguarding public health and preventing any resurgence of the virus as it works towards a potential declaration of an Ebola-free status in the coming weeks.