Authorities in Cote d’Ivoire have tested the first person on the African continent for the Wuhan coronavirus, Cote d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene said in a statement Sunday.
An Ivorian student who traveled from Beijing to Abidjan experienced symptoms such as coughing, sneezing and difficulty breathing, the ministry said.
The student was moved to a safe location on arrival at the airport and is currently under medical observation, the ministry said.
Authorities believe it is a case of pneumonia and not coronavirus, but the final diagnosis will be made after the analysis of the tests results, the ministry said.
The ministry urged residents not to panic, to maintain proper hygiene and to visit the closest health center in case of fever, cough or breathing difficulties.