Israel’s Health Ministry announced Friday that a person suspected of having Ebola has been placed in isolation after returning to Israel three days ago from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The individual sought medical treatment after developing a fever and suffering from headaches. Health officials stressed that the case remains only a suspected infection at this stage, and that testing is currently underway, with results expected within the next 24 hours.

The patient is being treated under strict isolation procedures and is being transferred to Rambam Medical Center, which has been designated as Israel’s specialized facility for handling suspected Ebola cases. At the same time, health officials have launched an epidemiological investigation to identify and locate anyone who may have come into contact with the individual.

The announcement comes amid ongoing Ebola outbreaks in parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. The Health Ministry said it has been closely monitoring developments in those countries and has carried out extensive preparations in recent months for the possibility of a suspected case arriving in Israel.

As part of those preparations, professional guidelines were distributed to hospitals and medical teams, protective equipment and specialized supplies were stocked, early identification systems were established for travelers returning from outbreak areas, and laboratory testing systems were put in place to identify Ebola infections.

The ministry again urged Israelis to avoid non-essential travel to areas with active Ebola outbreaks, particularly the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. Travelers returning from those countries, especially from areas with active outbreaks, who develop a fever or unusual symptoms within 21 days of their return are being instructed to remain at home, avoid contact with others, and contact the Health Ministry’s Kol Habriut hotline at *5400. The ministry said callers should state during the call that they had been in an area with active Ebola cases.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)