Second Ebola Suspect in Israel Hospitalized in Isolation After Returning From Congo

Israel’s Health Ministry said Tuesday evening that it had received a report of another person suspected of having Ebola after returning two days earlier from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The patient sought medical care after developing fever, headache and diarrhea, and is currently being treated in strict isolation while required tests are carried out. Results are expected in the coming days, in line with professional protocols used in Israel and internationally.

The patient will be transferred during the day to Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer, which has been designated as one of the dedicated facilities for receiving such suspected cases. This is the second Ebola suspicion in Israel within a few days. Last week, another person who returned from Congo and developed similar symptoms was hospitalized in isolation at Rambam Medical Center in Haifa.

The ministry said it is completing an epidemiological investigation to identify relevant contacts and check whether there is any connection between the cases. Once that work is finished, the ministry will proactively contact people deemed relevant based on the risk assessment. It stressed that it will reach out directly and individually to anyone who needs to be informed, and that anyone who does not receive a call does not need to take any action at this stage.

The ministry also reminded the public that Ebola is not airborne. Infection occurs through direct contact with a symptomatic patient, or with blood, body fluids or secretions. Because the disease is severe and has a high death rate, the health system is working to prevent the virus from reaching Israel. According to a report cited by Srugim, the ministry has asked the Population and Immigration Authority to consider a temporary restriction on entry for foreign nationals who, in the 21 days before arrival, were in African countries with outbreaks, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda and Kenya. The ministry said it continues to monitor the situation and update the public as needed.