Health Ministry Confirms No Ebola Cases in Israel After Scare

Israel's Ministry of Health announced Sunday that a suspected case of Ebola, initially reported after an individual returned from the Democratic Republic of Congo with a fever, has tested negative. The individual, who developed symptoms after their return, was treated in isolation at the Sheba Medical Center, designated for such high-risk infectious disease cases, in accordance with professional protocols.

The ministry stated that an epidemiological investigation will be completed to identify relevant contacts, but individuals not contacted by the ministry are not required to take any action at this time. The ministry reiterated that Ebola is not airborne and is transmitted through direct contact with an infected person's blood, bodily fluids, or secretions.

As part of ongoing preparedness for the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Ministry of Health has been monitoring global developments and implementing systemic measures. These include distributing professional guidelines to medical teams and hospitals, equipping facilities with protective gear, establishing early detection mechanisms for travelers from affected areas, and setting up laboratory identification systems for Ebola.

The ministry advised against travel to active Ebola zones in the Democratic Republic of Congo and generally discouraged non-essential travel to the country. Travelers returning from the region who develop fever or unusual symptoms within 21 days of their stay are urged to remain home, avoid contact with others, and call the Health Ministry's hotline, specifying their travel history.

The ministry emphasized that, as of now, no confirmed Ebola cases have been diagnosed in Israel, and all tests were conducted according to international and domestic professional standards for high-risk infectious diseases.