Panafrican News Agency

Benin: Health minister says suspected Ebola cases test negative

Cotonou, Benin (PANA) – Suspected cases of the Ebola virus in Benin have proved negative following tests at laboratories certified by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Professor Dorothée Akoko-Kindé Gazard, Beninese Health minister, said on Monday.

At a news conference in Cotonou, the minister declared: "In Benin, the suspected cases have not been confirmed. For now, there is no Ebola disease patient in Benin ... So far, the suspected samples sent to laboratories are negative. We should maintain health surveillance and be vigilant."

She added: "We ... have to follow the situation day by day and be prepared for possible cases."

On Friday, the Beninese Health ministry sent samples of two suspected two patients from Porto-Novo, the Beninese capital located at 30 km from Cotonou, and the north to certified laboratories for test.
-0- PANA IT/BEH/IBA/MSA/MA 11Aug2014