Health Ministry to hand out Ebola guidance to travelers returning from affected countries

Starting today, Israel's Health Ministry will distribute information leaflets at Ben Gurion Airport to passengers returning from areas with active Ebola outbreaks. The campaign comes amid a severe Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, where hundreds have been infected and about 200 have died, raising concern that the disease could spread to additional countries.

The ministry said the aim is to identify suspected cases quickly and prevent Ebola from entering Israel. According to the article, the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has so far caused 782 confirmed infections and 181 deaths, while Uganda has also reported cases. International health officials are closely watching the situation, although there has been no reported spread beyond Congo and Uganda.

The leaflet is intended for travelers who spent the past 21 days in designated areas of Congo or Uganda. It explains what to do if they develop fever or other symptoms, and notes that Ebola is a severe viral illness that can be fatal. Infection occurs through direct contact with blood, bodily fluids, secretions from a sick or deceased person, or contaminated objects.

The Health Ministry said people are contagious only after symptoms appear, and that the incubation period ranges from two to 21 days. Travelers who develop fever after visiting risk areas are instructed to call the Health Ministry hotline, "Kol HaBriut," at *5400, avoid going to a clinic or emergency room without prior telephone coordination, and stay in home isolation away from family members until they are medically evaluated. The ministry stressed that the risk to the general public is low, but it is working to identify possible exposures early and stop any importation of the disease.