Health Ministry Rules Out Ebola in Israel After Tests Come Back Negative

Israel’s Health Ministry said on Tuesday that tests taken over the past few days came back negative for Ebola in relation to two people who had been suspected of infection after returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The ministry said the findings effectively removed fears of an Ebola spread in Israel.

The tests were carried out according to professional procedures and accepted international guidelines for dealing with high-risk infectious diseases. The two people are continuing to receive medical treatment according to their condition.

The ministry stressed that, as of now, no confirmed Ebola case has been diagnosed in Israel. It also reiterated that Ebola is not airborne, and that infection occurs through direct contact with a sick person showing symptoms, or with blood, bodily fluids, or secretions.

Health officials said they are continuing to monitor the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, while maintaining system-wide readiness to ensure the health system is prepared for any scenario. The ministry again urged the public to avoid non-essential travel to areas with active Ebola cases. Travelers returning from such areas who develop fever or unusual symptoms within 21 days should stay home, avoid contact with others, and call the Health Voice hotline at *5400.