In a post on X, Pate explained that the 42-day countdown remained subject to validation by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“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 emphasised that December 7 was a provisional target and did not mean the outbreak had been declared over. He noted that the detection of any additional confirmed or probable case would reset the countdown in line with established guidelines.
Pate added that response teams were collaborating with the Federal Capital Territory Administration, state health authorities and relevant partners to contain the Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak and prevent community transmission.
He urged Nigerians to remain calm, cooperate with contact-tracing teams and rely on official updates from the NCDC and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for accurate information about the outbreak.
