A case of Ebola has been detected in Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire. This is the first case since 1994, almost two months after the announcement of the end of the 2021 epidemic in neighboring Guinea. A situation judged ” concern By WHO.

A case of Ebola has been detected in Côte d’Ivoire, more precisely in the economic capital of Abidjan. Indeed, the Ivorian health authorities were informed, Saturday August 14, 2021, by the Pasteur Institute of a positive case of Ebola virus disease after examination of a sample taken. During a televised statement, Minister Pierre Demba indicated that it is a young woman aged 18 of Guinean nationality and thus specified that ” this is an isolated and imported case “. According to him, the young woman is “ currently in isolation and care at the highly epidemic disease treatment center of the University Hospital of Treichville ».

While Côte d’Ivoire is a border country with Guinea and Liberia, where the Ebola virus caused an epidemic outbreak between 2014 and 2016, it is the first case of Ebola detected in Côte d’Ivoire since 1994. According to the World Health Organization, “ There is no evidence that the case detected in Côte d’Ivoire is linked to the recent epidemic outbreak that affected Guinea. Further investigation and genomic sequencing will identify the strain of the virus and determine if there is a link. ».

According to Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, “ It is extremely worrying that this epidemic has been declared in Abidjan, a metropolis of more than four million inhabitants. “. To which, she added: ” However, most of the global expertise in the fight against Ebola virus disease lies here on the continent, and Côte d’Ivoire can use this experience to accelerate the response. ».

For now, the Ivorian authorities have announced that the country is proceeding to ” vaccination of target groups, front-line health personnel, immediate patient contact, security forces at our borders “. Guinea’s National Health Security Agency declared: “ We officially delivered 5 doses of Ebola vaccines (…) to support a rapid response to the case declared by Côte d’Ivoire ».