A man who recently returned from the Democratic Republic of Congo is being tested for suspected Ebola after developing fever and headache, and is in strict isolation at Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa. Israeli health officials stress there is no confirmed case yet; test results are expected within hours.
Israel activated emergency Ebola protocols early Sunday morning (Jun 21) after a traveler returning from the Democratic Republic of the Congo was hospitalized with fever and headache at Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa. The patient is in strict isolation, awaiting test results expected within hours. This development follows a series of suspected cases over the past few days. As The Zioneer reported, the first suspected case was announced Friday night (Jun 19, 23:43 Jerusalem), with a second reported shortly thereafter (Jun 19, 23:43 Jerusalem), and a third case documented by Saturday morning (Jun 20, 07:03 Jerusalem). The current patient's condition has not been specified, but health officials have consistently stressed that no confirmed case of Ebola has been identified in Israel.
Across the thread, source reliability has evolved from initial Health Ministry statements citing a single suspected case to multiple Israeli media reports covering at least three suspected patients. The first two cases were reported almost simultaneously late Friday night, with both patients described as in stable condition and test results pending within 24 hours. By Saturday morning, a third traveler was isolated at an airport, underscoring the expanded screening protocols. The Health Ministry's preparedness measures, including protective equipment distribution and treatment area setup, were first announced on Jun 7 (Sunday, 14:11 Jerusalem), as The Zioneer reported. On Jun 9 (Tuesday, 20:43 Jerusalem), the ministry expanded its Ebola readiness, issuing professional guidelines and advancing early-detection protocols for travelers from affected regions.
Attributed background: The DRC is experiencing an ongoing Ebola outbreak, with confirmed cases rising to 933 and 245 deaths as of Jun 20, according to The Zioneer's earlier report. Israel's Health Ministry had already advised against non-essential travel to Uganda and the DRC and instructed returnees with symptoms to self-isolate and contact the ministry by phone (Jun 7, 14:11 Jerusalem). The ministry's broader preparedness measures, including procuring protective gear and specialized equipment, were detailed by ministry official Yoav Even on Jun 9 (20:43 Jerusalem).
What remains open: Test results for the current patient are still awaited, with no confirmed diagnosis yet. Health officials caution that the symptoms could also indicate other common African illnesses such as malaria, as noted in the first suspected case. The number of suspected cases may change as screening continues.
6 developments
- StrongIsrael Health Ministry investigating suspected Ebola case after patient returns from Congo
- DevelopingIsrael's Health Ministry warns against non-essential travel to Uganda, DRC; prepares for possible Ebola arrival
- StrongIsrael Health Ministry expands Ebola preparedness
- DevelopingHome Front Command probes unusual event in Ramla
Source and signal
- Internal intake