Two Israelis Returning From Congo Suspected of Ebola, Placed in Isolation
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS by baba
Two individuals returning to Israel from the Democratic Republic of Congo are suspected of having Ebola and have been placed in isolation at designated medical centers. The Ministry of Health is conducting investigations and tests, emphasizing that these are only suspicions. The ministry has also issued travel advisories, recommending against travel to affected regions in Congo and neighboring countries due to the ongoing Ebola outbreak.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Two travelers returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo are suspected of having Ebola.
- The suspected patients have been placed in isolation at Sheba and Ichilov Medical Centers.
- The Ministry of Health is conducting epidemiological investigations and laboratory tests.
- The ministry advises against travel to affected regions in Congo and neighboring countries.
- Travelers from Congo with fever or unusual symptoms within 21 days should call the Health Ministry hotline.
The Israeli Ministry of Health announced on Tuesday that two individuals who recently entered Israel from the Democratic Republic of Congo are suspected of having contracted Ebola. The ministry emphasized that these are only suspicions at this stage, and the necessary investigations and tests have not yet been completed. The two individuals have been placed under monitoring and treatment in isolation, in accordance with professional protocols for high-risk infectious diseases. One patient was transferred to the Sheba Medical Center and the other to Ichilov Medical Center, both designated facilities for such cases. The Ministry of Health will conduct an epidemiological investigation to identify relevant contacts. Those not contacted by the ministry are not required to take any action at this time.
In recent months, several travelers returning from Congo were suspected of having Ebola, but their test results ultimately came back negative. Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with an infected person exhibiting symptoms, or through blood, bodily fluids, secretions, deceased individuals, contaminated objects, or infected animals. Laboratory tests will be performed to investigate the suspected infection.
The Ministry of Health has been monitoring the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and preparing the healthcare system for potential scenarios. This preparation includes distributing professional guidelines to medical teams and relevant hospitals, establishing early detection mechanisms for travelers returning from affected areas, and setting up a laboratory identification system for Ebola. Travelers returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo who develop a fever above 38 degrees Celsius or unusual symptoms within 21 days of their stay are advised to remain home and avoid contact with others. They should call the Health Ministry's hotline at *5400 for instructions and must inform the hotline of their travel to Congo before visiting a medical facility without prior coordination.
The ministry also issued travel recommendations, advising against travel to the affected provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Ituri, Nord-Kivu, Sud-Kivu, Haut-Uélé, Tshopo, Bas-Uélé, Sud-Ubangi, and Nord-Ubangi. Non-essential travel to other parts of the country is also discouraged. Additionally, non-essential travel to neighboring countries including Uganda, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola, and the Republic of the Congo should be avoided. For travel to Kenya and Nigeria, the necessity of the trip should be reconsidered. For any travel to these countries, travelers are urged to take precautions outlined on the Ministry of Health website, stay updated with local health authorities, and seek individual consultation at a travel clinic before departure.
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