The Israeli Ministry of Health has launched a large-scale sanitation program to prevent the entry of the Ebola virus into the country.
The Ministry stated that although Israel does not have direct flights with African countries considered epidemiological risk zones, special preventive measures have been prepared, taking into account the possibility of the virus being brought into the country via transit flights.
According to the program, starting July 1, informational materials related to the Ebola virus will be distributed to passengers at major transit airports. Simultaneously, educational videos about the symptoms of the disease, methods of protection against infection, and actions to take in case of a sudden deterioration in health will be placed on aircraft entertainment systems.
Passengers are advised to immediately inform medical personnel if they experience any symptoms. Officials believe that these measures will minimize the risk of the virus being brought into Israel via third countries.
The Ministry of Health specialists are currently continuously monitoring the epidemiological situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. The awareness campaign is expected to cover more international airlines soon, and an email alert system will also be expanded.
Israel's national airline, El Al, has also confirmed that it is working in full coordination with health authorities. The company sends warning letters via email to passengers flying in transit from countries in the risk group.
The Israeli government has emphasized that if the epidemiological situation in Africa worsens, the country's sanitary control and border measures will be immediately further tightened. According to officials, such proactive measures are of particular importance for protecting national biosecurity in an era of intensive global air travel.