Israel’s Health Ministry said today, Tuesday, that laboratory tests on two people who recently returned from the Democratic Republic of Congo were negative for Ebola. Officials said there is still no confirmed Ebola case in Israel, and no evidence that either patient was infected with the virus.
The two returned from Congo and developed symptoms that required medical evaluation under the strict procedures used in Israel and internationally for high-risk infectious diseases. The tests were carried out according to professional guidelines and accepted international protocols for handling Ebola. Although Ebola was ruled out, the ministry said both patients continue to receive medical treatment based on their clinical condition.
The announcement followed several days of heightened alert in the health system after the Ebola suspicion was raised. The ministry stressed that Ebola is not airborne. It spreads through direct contact with a sick person who has symptoms, or through exposure to blood, body fluids, and secretions from an infected person.
At the same time, the ministry said it is continuing to monitor the active Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda and is maintaining readiness for any possible scenario. It also urged the public to avoid nonessential travel to areas with active Ebola transmission. Travelers returning from those areas who develop fever or unusual symptoms within 21 days are asked to stay home and report their condition according to the guidelines. The ministry said it will keep updating the public and medical teams as developments unfold.
