Health Ministry prepares Israel’s hospitals in event of Ebola case amid Central Africa outbreak

Israel's Health Ministry is proactively preparing its healthcare system for the possibility of an Ebola case, prompted by the recent outbreak in Central Africa. While the ministry assesses the overall risk of an outbreak in Israel as low, the rapid spread of the virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo and its appearance in Uganda, the United Arab Emirates, and Germany have heightened monitoring and emergency readiness.

Key aspects of the ministry's preparations involve establishing clear protocols for early patient identification, ensuring adequate protective equipment for medical staff, and designating specific hospitals capable of receiving and isolating suspected Ebola patients. Professional guidelines are expected to be released soon, detailing criteria for suspected cases, staff protection procedures, patient isolation, sample handling, and reporting to public health authorities.

Specialized equipment for highly infectious diseases has already been distributed to hospitals. The ministry is also advancing the establishment of dedicated treatment facilities for suspected cases of dangerous infectious diseases, though details on their location, timeline, and nature (permanent, temporary, or adapted) remain undisclosed. A significant focus is also placed on travelers returning to Israel from affected regions, with plans to implement a system for providing them with information to recognize symptoms and report them promptly.

The Health Ministry advises against non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, particularly areas with active transmission. Those who must travel are encouraged to consult a travel medicine clinic beforehand for personalized advice.