Health Ministry Suspects Ebola Case in Traveler from Congo

Israel's Ministry of Health announced Thursday a suspected case of Ebola in an individual who recently returned from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The person developed a fever several days after arriving in Israel. The ministry stressed that this is currently only a suspicion and a definitive diagnosis has not yet been made, emphasizing that there are no confirmed Ebola cases in Israel at this time.

The individual will be treated under isolation protocols for high-risk infectious diseases and transferred to Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center, designated for handling such suspected cases. Laboratory tests will be conducted to determine the cause of the symptoms, with results expected in the coming days.

Concurrently, the Ministry of Health has completed an epidemiological investigation to identify individuals who may have come into contact with the suspected patient. Those not contacted by the ministry are not required to take any action at this stage. The ministry reiterated that Ebola is not airborne and is transmitted through direct contact with symptomatic individuals or their bodily fluids.

Health officials are advising the public to avoid non-essential travel to areas with active Ebola outbreaks, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo. Individuals returning from such areas who develop a fever or unusual symptoms within 21 days of their visit are urged to stay home, avoid contact with others, and call the Health Ministry's hotline at *5400, mentioning their travel history.