A new laboratory test has found no evidence of Ebola in the samples of a patient who was thought to be Ivory Coast’s first case of the disease in 25 years.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says it now considers that the patient did not have the virus.
Further analysis on the actual cause of her illness is ongoing.
The 18-year-old woman who had travelled from Guinea showed symptoms of Ebola on arrival in Ivory Coast last month.
An initial test confirmed infection, prompting the authorities in Abidjan to declare an outbreak.
The authorities took precautions – the patient was promptly isolated, her contacts traced and thousands considered to be at risk of infection vaccinated.
The WHO now says it is downgrading the response.
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Anger after Ivory Coast TV guest demonstrates rape
A television station in Ivory Coast has apologised after broadcasting a prime-time show in which a man described as a former rapist demonstrated on a mannequin how he assaulted women.
The presenter laughed and joked as he helped the guest lay the mannequin on the floor. Afterwards the guest was invited to give women advice on how to avoid being raped.
Thirty-thousand people signed a petition calling for the cancellation of the show on the private channel, Nouvelle Chaîne Ivoirienne (NCI).
Women’s Affairs Minister Nassénéba Touré was amongst those who expressed her outrage, saying Monday’s programme undermined the government’s efforts to eradicate rape.
The presenter, Yves de M’Bella, has been suspended and has asked for forgiveness.
The station’s management says it is committed to respecting human rights, especially those of women.Article share tools
Ivory Coast’s first Ebola patient in years recovers
Ivory Coast’s first person to test positive for Ebola since 1994 has now recovered, the health ministry says.
The 18-year-old woman from Guinea had travelled to Abidjan by bus two weeks ago and then tested positive for the haemorrhagic disease.
Ivory Coast immediately held a vaccination drive to cover people who’d had contact with the visitor, and security forces on the border with Guinea.
The woman has now had two negative tests so her isolation has been lifted.
The Democratic Republic of Congo and Guinea itself are the other two African countries affected by Ebola this year.
Source: BBC
