Israel Suspects Ebola Case After Traveler Returns From Congo

Israel’s Health Ministry said late Friday it received notice of a suspected Ebola case involving a person who returned to the country three days earlier from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The traveler developed fever and headache, sought medical care, and is now being treated in isolation at Rambam Medical Center in Haifa while an epidemiological investigation continues.

According to the ministry, the required tests were carried out overnight and results are expected within 24 hours. Officials stressed that this is only a suspicion at this stage. The ministry has stepped up preparedness in response to Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda in recent months, including training medical teams, stockpiling protective equipment, creating early detection procedures for returnees from affected areas, and setting up laboratory identification capability.

The ministry urged travelers returning from active outbreak zones who develop unusual symptoms within 21 days of arrival to stay home, avoid contact with others, and contact the ministry. It also advised against nonessential travel to areas where disease transmission is active.

Dr. Shirli Shapira Ben David, head of infectious diseases at Maccabi Healthcare Services, said Ebola is a viral disease with six known types, four of which infect humans. She said the current concern is the Bundibugyo strain, which can cause severe and sometimes fatal illness. She explained that the disease originates in animals and spreads to humans through close contact with blood or secretions from infected wild animals, then between people through direct contact with blood, secretions, and contaminated surfaces or objects. The incubation period is 2 to 21 days, and early symptoms can resemble a routine viral illness before progressing to nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, unexplained bleeding, organ failure, and death in severe cases. This is the 17th Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo since 1976.