Israel Reports Suspected Ebola Case in Traveler from Congo

Israel's Ministry of Health issued an unusual report Sunday concerning a traveler suspected of having Ebola, who recently returned from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The individual developed fever symptoms and has been hospitalized under special isolation conditions at the Sheba Medical Center in Tel HaShomer, a designated facility for such cases. The ministry emphasized that this is currently only a laboratory suspicion, with confirmed test results expected later in the day. Concurrently, an epidemiological investigation is underway to identify all individuals who came into contact with the suspected patient. The ministry reassured the public that anyone not contacted directly by health officials does not need to take any action. They also clarified that Ebola is not airborne and is transmitted solely through direct contact with symptomatic individuals or their bodily fluids, blood, and secretions. Since the outbreak in Congo, Israel's health system has been monitoring the global situation and has prepared comprehensive measures. These include distributing guidelines to medical teams and hospitals, increasing protective equipment supplies, establishing early detection mechanisms for travelers at airports, and activating rapid laboratory identification systems. The Ministry of Health reiterated its call for the public to avoid travel to areas with active Ebola cases in Congo and non-essential travel to the country altogether. Travelers returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo who develop fever or unusual symptoms within 21 days of their return are urged to stay home, avoid contact with others, and immediately call the "Kol HaBriut" hotline at *5400 to report their travel to the risk area.