New test finds no evidence Ivorian patient had Ebola

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.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: AFP