The Health Ministry is monitoring a suspected case of the Ebola virus in Israel after a traveler began showing early symptoms of infection, the ministry announced in a statement released on Friday.
The potentially infected individual, who had returned from the Democratic Republic of Congo three days ago, sought medical treatment after developing a fever and headache, common initial symptoms of the virus.
The ministry has transferred the individual to Rambam Health Care Campus, which has been designated as the medical center for such cases, and the individual is in isolation in accordance with standard protocols.
The ministry stressed that the findings are still only a matter of suspicion, that tests are being conducted with results expected within the next 24 hours, and that an epidemiological investigation is underway to trace contacts.
The statement reiterated that the ministry has been continuously monitoring the virus in the DRC and Uganda and is fully prepared for situations like this. “As part of the preparedness, professional guidelines have been distributed to medical teams and relevant hospitals to handle suspected cases,” the statement said.
The Ministry of Health reiterates travel warnings to ‘active Ebola areas’
“Additionally, protective equipment and specialized gear have been fully supplied, early detection mechanisms for travelers returning from affected areas have been established, and a laboratory detection system for Ebola infection has been set up,” the statement continued.
The Health Ministry also reiterated travel warnings to the public, advising against non-essential travel to “areas with active Ebola outbreaks,” specifically the DRC and Congo, and if people do intend to travel to these areas, they recommend receiving a consultation at a travel clinic according to ministry guidelines, which could be found on their website.
The ministry advised that for travelers returning from active Ebola areas, “who develop fever or unusual symptoms within 21 days of return, are requested to stay home, avoid contact with others, and contact the Ministry of Health’s Health Voice Call Center by phone at *5400.”
When contacting the call center, individuals must specify that they have traveled to an area affected by Ebola.
How this impacts travelers and world events
With world events still underway, including the World Cup, travelers have expressed concern about getting infected. However, US infectious disease experts say the risk of infection is very low, and US hospitals and medical personnel are fully prepared.
“We’re not going to be able to prevent 100% of infections, but we certainly are the most prepared that we have ever been,” said Dr. Gavin Harris, an expert in serious communicable diseases at Emory University in Atlanta, one of 11 US World Cup host cities.
To date, there are 933 confirmed cases and 245 confirmed deaths in the DRC, alongside 19 confirmed cases and two confirmed deaths in Uganda, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The ministry emphasized that, at this time, this case is only a suspicion; there is no cause for concern, and the ministry will provide updates to the public and medical teams as necessary.
Source:
www.jpost.com
