Ebola Death Toll Passes 4,700 as Switzerland Takes In Patient

The Democratic Republic of Congo's health ministry reports more than 9,800 Ebola cases and more than 4,700 deaths since May, making the current outbreak the deadliest in the country's history. The virus has spread across eight provinces, and health authorities in four other African nations are managing their own cases linked to the crisis.

A Ugandan-born Swiss citizen diagnosed in Abuja last week was flown on a medical evacuation flight to Switzerland on Monday. Nigerian Health Minister Muhammad Pate approved her departure after she was stabilized. She is receiving care in Geneva, while her husband, a Swiss diplomat in Nigeria, is in isolation at a hospital in Zurich. Pate wrote on X that her condition has improved, adding, "This does not mean she is not still infectious, hence the strict protocols in place."

WHO regional director Dr. Mohamed Yakub Janabi said the evacuation was arranged because the couple are Swiss citizens and that Nigerian medical teams had treated her through the acute phase of the illness. With her departure, Nigeria has no Ebola cases, he said. Nigerian authorities are monitoring 52 people who had contact with her. Swiss officials said she did not visit the D.R.C. and is believed to have been infected while travelling in Uganda with her husband.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said a nurse was killed and a health worker was severely injured after an attack on Saturday in Bafwasende, in eastern Tshopo province. Local authorities have not commented on the attack or named suspects. Tedros wrote on X, "Everyone working to protect communities from this deadly disease must be able to work in dignity and safety." Attacks on responders have been recorded since the outbreak began in May, when two tents at health centres were set alight in separate incidents in one week.

Uganda, which declared an end to its latest outbreak in July, says it remains Ebola-free but is reinforcing border controls. The health ministry said Sunday that citizens returning from the D.R.C. must spend 21 days in quarantine at their own expense. Screening has intensified at Entebbe International Airport and land borders, and all arrivals must complete a passenger locator form. Travellers with a history of travel to Congo cannot transit through Uganda, including on chartered flights.

Kenya released the first 20 people from quarantine on Monday after they completed 21 days of monitoring without symptoms. Director general Patrick Amoth said in a statement that the individuals are in good health. Kenya has reported nine cases, two of whom have died, and 98 others remain in quarantine, with releases planned in four waves beginning Nov. 3. The country's first case died in a Nairobi hospital on Oct. 5, after which eight others fell ill while in quarantine.

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the first patients in Nigeria and Kenya both travelled through Uganda's Entebbe International Airport on Oct. 3. Nigeria's case tested positive after she returned to Abuja from Uganda. Swiss officials said she was believed to have been infected while travelling to Uganda with her husband.