Geneva – A Swiss woman who contracted the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola linked to the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been discharged from hospital in Geneva after recovering from the infection.
The woman, whose husband works at the Swiss Embassy in Abuja, was evacuated from the Nigerian capital with him on October 26, according to reports.
A spokesperson for the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG), Benoit Carpentier, on Thursday confirmed that the patient had been discharged on Wednesday after receiving supportive medical care. “The patient has recovered. She was discharged from hospital yesterday (Wednesday),” Carpentier told AFP, confirming an earlier report by Tribune de Genève.
He said her treatment included hydration and the management of potential complications associated with the disease. The woman’s husband did not develop symptoms, and his quarantine was lifted on November 4.
Nigeria announced the Ebola case on October 20, identifying it as an infection involving the Bundibugyo strain, which has also been linked to the outbreak in the DRC. The Bundibugyo virus is a distinct Ebola virus species. Unlike the Zaire ebolavirus, for which approved vaccines and specific treatments are available, there is no established licensed vaccine or specific treatment for the Bundibugyo strain.
The WHO has reported ongoing efforts to strengthen outbreak response measures in affected countries, including research into vaccine candidates targeting the strain. The woman’s recovery highlights the importance of supportive clinical care, early detection and effective infection prevention measures in managing Ebola cases.
Health authorities have continued to emphasise surveillance, contact tracing and cross-border coordination to reduce the risk of further transmission.
Join the conversation