Suspected Ebola Patient Treated in Haifa After Trip to DRC

A man suspected of having contracted the Ebola virus following a recent trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is currently receiving treatment in isolation at Rambam Medical Center in Haifa. The Health Ministry announced the case on Friday, amid an ongoing outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of the virus in the DRC and Uganda.

The suspected patient is being managed in an isolated ward, and health officials are actively tracing individuals who may have come into contact with him. As of Saturday afternoon, confirmation of the diagnosis was pending, with test results anticipated within approximately 48 hours. The Health Ministry emphasized that Ebola is not transmitted through the air; infection occurs via direct contact with bodily fluids from a symptomatic individual.

Israel's healthcare system has been preparing for the possibility of treating Ebola patients since the outbreak was first reported in the DRC on May 15, 2026. The Health Ministry had previously stressed the low probability of an outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain but had distributed protective equipment to hospitals. They also encouraged hospitals to establish dedicated treatment facilities and provided professional guidelines to medical teams.

According to the Health Ministry, Israel has never had a confirmed case of Ebola, although several suspected cases in 2014 were later found to be negative. The ministry advises against non-essential travel to affected areas in the DRC and Uganda. Travelers returning from these regions who develop fever or unusual symptoms within 21 days are urged to self-isolate and contact the ministry's hotline immediately. The current outbreak in the DRC and Uganda has been severe, claiming over 200 lives in its first month and showing a significantly higher number of suspected contacts compared to previous outbreaks.