A Malian national living in northern Senegal has been quarantined in a hospital due to suspected Ebola symptoms, Senegalese News Agency reported Saturday.

The 27-year-old patient had just returned to the northern city of Ourossogui from a trip to Mali, where he was in contact with nationals of Guinea, said the head doctor of the local medical team, adding samples have been sent to Dakar for analysis and the results could be available within 48 hours.

A doctor accompanied by officers of health services has already been dispatched to the city to disinfect the home of the patient and the bike that was used to transport him.

In March, Senegal had closed its border with Guinea, the country most affected by the epidemic, but reopened it in early May.

The Senegalese Minister of Health, Awa Marie Coll Seck, said Friday that there was no confirmed case in they country but emphasized prevention measures against Ebola virus. Endi