An Ebola defense exercise was held on erev Shabbos; participants included Ben-Gurion International Airport units, the Health Ministry, MDA, the Interior Ministry Population and Migration Authority and the Israel Police.

The exercise included locating passengers arriving from countries at high risk of Ebola, holding them in isolation, preliminary medical treatment and evacuation to – and treatment at –Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer.

According to Health Ministry guidelines, passengers who were in countries in which Ebola is spreading, over the past three weeks and who have fevers over 38 degrees Celsius, must be evacuated to an isolation clinic and from there to hospital.

The exercise was held in continuation of discussions held by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in recent weeks (including a telephone consultation last night; click here also) in order to prepare for the spread of Ebola around the world.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has instructed the National Security Council – in conjunction with the Health Ministry, Foreign Ministry, Transportation and Road Safety Ministry, Interior Ministry Population and Migration Authority, the Airports Authority and other agencies – to lead staff work on the nation’s readiness to deal with Ebola.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)