Ebola Scare in Israel Ends as Patient Tests Negative

The Israeli Ministry of Health announced on Sunday that tests for Ebola on a patient hospitalized with suspected symptoms have returned negative. The patient, who had recently returned from the Democratic Republic of Congo and developed a fever, was admitted to Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center, one of the designated facilities for handling such cases. The hospital implemented isolation protocols and conducted tests according to international guidelines for high-risk infectious diseases.

Health officials confirmed that no confirmed cases of Ebola have been diagnosed in Israel to date. They also reiterated that Ebola is not airborne and is transmitted solely through direct contact with an infected individual or their bodily fluids. The Ministry of Health has been monitoring the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo in recent months, distributing guidelines to medical teams, stocking protective equipment, and establishing early detection and laboratory identification systems.

The Ministry is advising the public to avoid non-essential travel to areas with active outbreaks, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo. Travelers returning from affected regions who develop fever or unusual symptoms within 21 days of their return are urged to stay home, avoid contact with others, and call the 'Kol HaBriut' health hotline at *5400. The Ministry stated it will continue to provide updates to the public and medical professionals as necessary.