The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, has said that Nigeria could declare its Ebola outbreak over as early as December 7, 2026, if no further confirmed or probable cases are detected, following the medical evacuation of the imported index patient from the country.
He disclosed this on Monday via his X handle while providing an update on the country’s response to the outbreak.
He said the proposed date remains provisional and is subject to validation of the 42-day countdown by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The minister said any additional case would require a fresh countdown in line with WHO criteria for declaring an Ebola outbreak over.
Following the evacuation of the index patient, the minister said the immediate priorities were the continued monitoring of identified contacts, prompt investigation of alerts and strengthened preparedness across health facilities.
He added that response teams, working with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), state health authorities and partners, remained focused on containing the outbreak and preventing community transmission.
Pate urged Nigerians to remain calm, cooperate with contact-tracing teams and obtain regular updates from the NCDC and relevant health authorities.
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