Health Ministry investigates suspected Ebola case after return from Congo

The Health Ministry stresses that this is only a suspected case at this stage; the investigation and required tests have not yet been completed. The person is being isolated in accordance with professional procedures for high-risk infectious diseases. Sheba Medical Center has been designated as one of the specialized centers for receiving people suspected of having such diseases.

The ministry will complete an epidemiological investigation to identify relevant contacts. Anyone who is not contacted by the ministry does not need to take any action at this stage. A series of laboratory tests will be carried out according to accepted medical protocols to investigate the suspected case.

The ministry notes that Ebola is not transmitted through the air. Infection occurs through direct contact with a person who is ill and has symptoms, or with that person’s blood, bodily fluids or secretions.

The Health Ministry urges the public to avoid travel to areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo where Ebola is actively spreading, and to avoid nonessential travel to the country. Before traveling, people are advised to seek individual guidance at a travelers’ clinic and consult the ministry’s instructions.

People returning from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who develop a fever or unusual symptoms within 21 days of their stay there should remain at home, avoid contact with others and call the Health Ministry’s hotline at *5400. They should tell the hotline that they stayed in an area with Ebola transmission. The ministry stresses that no confirmed Ebola case has been diagnosed in Israel.

Since the Ebola outbreak began in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the ministry has been monitoring developments and preparing the health system for possible scenarios. Professional guidance has been distributed to medical teams and relevant hospitals; protective and specialized equipment has been prepared, along with early identification mechanisms for travelers arriving from affected areas and a laboratory system for detecting Ebola. The ministry will update the public and medical teams as needed.

What to do after returning from the DRC

• If you develop a fever or unusual symptoms within 21 days of staying in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, remain at home and avoid contact with others.
• Call the Health Ministry’s hotline at *5400 and tell them you stayed in an area with Ebola transmission.
• If the Health Ministry has not contacted you, you do not need to take any action at this stage.
• Before traveling, seek advice at a travelers’ clinic; the ministry advises against nonessential trips to the country.