Ebola fears removed: Tests of patient who returned from Congo negative

The Ministry of Health announced that the Ebola test results of the patient hospitalized at Hadassah Ein Kerem came back negative. The suspicion arose after the citizen returned from Congo and developed a fever. The ministry emphasizes that no confirmed case of the disease has been diagnosed in Israel, and that it is not airborne but transmitted through direct contact.

The Ministry of Health announced today (Sunday) that the Ebola test results of the patient hospitalized at the Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center came back negative, thereby removing the suspicion that he had contracted the disease. The suspicion arose after the citizen returned several days ago from the Democratic Republic of Congo and developed a fever. The tests were conducted in accordance with professional procedures and international guidelines. The patient was evacuated under isolation conditions for laboratory investigation. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health completed an epidemiological investigation to identify contacts, and clarifies that anyone who was not contacted does not need to take any action. The ministry emphasizes that no confirmed case of Ebola has been diagnosed in Israel, and that the disease is not airborne but transmitted through direct contact with a symptomatic patient or with bodily fluids. In recent months, the ministry has monitored developments since the outbreak of the disease in Congo, distributed guidelines to medical teams, completed the procurement of protective equipment, and established early detection mechanisms. The ministry calls on the public to avoid non-essential travel to areas of active disease, and asks travelers returning from Congo who develop a fever within 21 days to stay home and contact the 'Kol Habriut' hotline.