France has detected the first positive case of Ebola virus disease, corresponding to a humanitarian doctor returning from a mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), an area where the virus is in active circulation, the Ministry of Health reported this Wednesday.
The patient was treated immediately upon arrival in French territory and transferred to a hospital center specialized in highly transmissible infectious diseases, according to the health authorities, who stated in a statement that the doctor is in stable condition.
The Ministry of Health stressed that health safety protocols were immediately activated, including the isolation of the patient and their transfer under controlled conditions, with the aim of avoiding any risk of contagion.
France has specialized infrastructure for the management of highly contagious diseases, with hospital units equipped with negative pressure systems and strict biosafety measures, the Ministry of Health stressed.
At the same time, an epidemiological investigation has been launched to identify people who may have had contact with the confirmed case. These contacts will be located by the regional health agency and must comply with home isolation for 21 days, with medical monitoring throughout the period.
The announcement comes after the declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization (WHO) on May 17, in response to the circulation of the virus in eastern DRC.
In this context, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) maintains its risk assessment as low for travelers traveling to areas of active transmission and very low for the general population in Europe.
The authorities have also reinforced the health monitoring system for French aid workers returning from risk areas, the Ministry concluded in its note.
