Health Ministry Rules Out Ebola in Two Returnees from Congo

Israel’s Health Ministry said on Tuesday that Ebola infection has been ruled out for two people who returned to Israel from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The update followed a report received on Sunday about a second suspected case involving a person who sought medical care after developing fever, headache and diarrhea.

The ministry stressed that Ebola is not transmitted through the air. Infection occurs through direct contact with a symptomatic patient, or with blood, bodily fluids or secretions. It said that investigating a suspected case requires a sequence of laboratory tests, in line with accepted medical protocols in Israel and abroad.

The ministry also said it has been monitoring developments worldwide in recent months since the Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. It said it has carried out system-wide preparedness steps to ensure the health system is ready for any scenario.

As part of that preparation, professional guidance was distributed to medical teams and the relevant hospitals, protective equipment and specialized supplies were stocked, early-detection mechanisms for travelers returning from affected areas were put in place, and a laboratory system for identifying Ebola infections was established.