Suspected Ebola Case Isolated at Tel HaShomer Hospital After Congo Trip

Israel's Ministry of Health announced on Sunday that an individual who recently returned from the Democratic Republic of Congo has been placed in isolation at the Sheba Medical Center in Tel HaShomer due to a suspected Ebola infection. The patient developed a fever after arriving back in Israel, prompting the isolation measures while laboratory results are pending, expected later today. Sheba Medical Center was designated as a specialized facility for handling such high-risk infectious disease cases, adhering to strict professional protocols.

Health officials are conducting an epidemiological investigation to identify potential contacts, emphasizing that individuals not contacted need not take action. The ministry reiterated that Ebola is not airborne and spreads solely through direct contact with symptomatic individuals or their bodily fluids. To date, no confirmed Ebola cases have been diagnosed in Israel. The current investigation follows stringent international and domestic professional protocols.

Since the Ebola outbreak in Congo, the Ministry of Health has been preparing its systems, including distributing guidelines to medical teams, acquiring protective equipment, and establishing early detection mechanisms for travelers. The ministry advises the public to avoid travel to active outbreak zones and urges those returning from Congo who develop symptoms within 21 days to stay home and contact the "Kol HaBriut" hotline at *5400.