If we had done nothing when the outbreak reached Abidjan we reckon that 30,000 to 35,000 would have been infected and around half of them would have died. Checks on vaccination documents have been stepped up at the main airport, officials said. Some 800,000 people have already been vaccinated countrywide since the outbreak began in March. The mosquito-borne virus thrives in densely populated areas. Early symptoms are jaundice and bleeding from eyes, nose and mouth.
Victims often recover if treated early but the virus can lead to kidney failure and death.
Loukou said he was optimistic the epidemic was now under control in Ivory Coast but he warned that a number of cases have been reported in Guinea's capital Conakry and in Liberia. Health officials in Guinea reported 18 suspected cases in the capital, two of which were confirmed including one dead, aid workers there said. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.