Patient held in isolation in Soroka Hospital tests negative for Ebola after returning from DRC

A patient isolated at Soroka Medical Center tested negative for Ebola on Friday after developing a fever upon returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Health Ministry confirmed no Ebola cases in Israel and advised against travel to the DRC and Uganda, where the outbreak has spread. Travelers returning from these areas should self-isolate and contact the Health Ministry hotline (*5400) if symptoms appear within 21 days. The current Ebola outbreak in the DRC, caused by the Bundibugyo species, is on track to be the largest in history, with over 4,381 confirmed cases and 2,011 deaths recorded in less than three months. The Health Ministry is monitoring the situation and preparing the health system for potential scenarios.