Ebola

Two Israelis have been placed in medical isolation at Sheba and Ichilov hospitals as health officials investigate possible Ebola infections.

The Congolese government says the virus has claimed about 2,900 lives in what it calls the country’s largest disaster in its history. Neighboring Uganda also reported deaths from the virus.

The Health Ministry said a man who returned several days ago from the Democratic Republic of Congo developed a fever. He is being treated in isolation at Soroka Medical Center, with Ebola test results expected within about a day.

Israel’s Health Ministry is starting a new information campaign for some El Al passengers headed through major transit hubs, since there are no direct flights from affected African countries. So far, no cases of the virus have been identified in Israel.

Israel’s Health Ministry said a citizen is being treated in complete isolation. At this stage, according to the health system, "this is only a suspicion." Lab results will determine whether this is in fact a confirmed case of Ebola in Israel. In line with protocol, the Health Ministry is conducting an epidemiological investigation to identify relevant contacts.

Israel’s Health Ministry is continuing its ongoing assessments בעקבות reports of another spread of the Ebola virus in Africa. Five African countries have reported hundreds of deaths from the virus.

Israel’s Health Ministry has released a new set of guidelines for medical teams following reports of the spread of the Ebola virus in Africa. At this point, however, the risk of an outbreak in Israel remains low.