Israel's Health Ministry said Friday night that it had received a report of a man suspected of having Ebola after returning to Israel from the Democratic Republic of Congo three days earlier. The man sought medical care after developing a fever and headache, and was moved into isolation at Rambam Medical Center in Haifa. An epidemiological investigation was opened at the same time.
Required tests were carried out overnight, and results are expected within the next 24 hours. The ministry said it had already strengthened preparations in recent months for the possible arrival of an Ebola patient in Israel because of outbreaks in Congo and Uganda. Medical teams received specific instructions, protective equipment was fully stocked, and systems were set up to identify travelers arriving from affected areas early.
Dr. Shirly Shapira Ben David, head of infectious diseases at Maccabi Healthcare Services, said Ebola is a viral disease. She noted that there are six Ebola virus types, four of which infect humans, and said the current concern is the Bundibugyo strain, which can cause severe and sometimes fatal illness. She said transmission occurs through direct contact with blood or secretions from infected animals, and then between humans through contact with blood, secretions, or contaminated objects.
