(Ecofin Agency) - Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Côte d'Ivoire faces a new challenge. Last August 14, the country reported a confirmed case of the Ebola virus; the first since 1994. In a swift response, authorities have launched a vaccination campaign that has already benefited at least 200 people.

While vaccination continues, the World Health Organization announced on August 19 that a new case is suspected on the territory. "There are currently two cases. One that has been confirmed - a young woman - and one that is suspected," Tarik Jasarevic, spokesman for the institution, told reporters. He said nine contact cases have also been traced.

The confirmed case is a young Guinean woman, 18, who entered the Ivorian territory on August 11 from Labé, a city in northern Guinea. The vaccination which started on August 16 first targets health workers; it will, later on, be extended to other target groups. Côte d'Ivoire has received a total of 5,000 doses of vaccine via Guinea, including 2,000 doses of Merck vaccine and 3,000 doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Health Minister Pierre Demba says at least 2,000 contacts are expected to receive vaccine shots within the next few days.

Between 2013 and 2016, West Africa experienced an Ebola outbreak that killed 11,300 people.

Moutiou Adjibi Nourou