Declaration of non-case of Ebola Virus Disease in Ivory Coast
On August 14, 2021, Côte d’Ivoire declared an Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) epidemic following confirmation from the Institut Pasteur Laboratory of a sample taken from a patient who left Labé in Guinea on August 8, 2021 and arrived in Abidjan on August 12, 2021 where she was admitted to our facilities, isolated and diagnosed as EVD.
Consequently, according to WHO standards, the Government immediately undertook all public health actions (Surveillance, Case management, Vaccination of people at risk, prevention and control of infections in health structures and in the community, etc. …) To respond to this epidemic, secure the population and stop its spread.
The Government would like to thank the partners, including WHO as well as the sister Republic of Guinea, for their support and support in managing this situation in these very early hours. To date, the patient is declared recovered after 2 consecutive tests, carried out on August 21 and 23, 2021 by the Laboratory of the Institut Pasteur, have come back negative.
As recommended by the International Health Regulations (RSI2005), samples were also sent for confirmation to a reference laboratory that is accredited for viral haemorrhagic fevers. This is how the Bio-Mérieux laboratory in Lyon, which was identified, received the samples on August 27, 2021.
As the results came back negative for both PCR and serology, the Government decided to classify this patient as a non-case of Ebola Virus Disease, thereby removing Côte d’Ivoire from the list of Ebola Virus Countries.
This situation allowed our country to test its national system of preparedness and response to an epidemic.
Also, as the sub-region is faced with several Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Diseases, public health actions will continue to be strengthened both at the borders and in the country to be able to identify any suspected case and take all the necessary measures in accordance with to the International Health Regulations (RSI2005).
The Government reassures Ivorians of its commitment and continues to guarantee better health for all.
Done in Abidjan on August 31, 2021
For the Government, the Minister of Health, Public Hygiene and Universal Health Coverage
Pierre DIMBA
