France places five contacts in quarantine after Ebola case in returning doctor

French health authorities confirmed that a doctor who had been part of a humanitarian mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo tested positive for Ebola upon his return to France. The doctor was in the early stage of the illness, showed no symptoms during the flight and was taken directly to hospital for a 21‑day observation period. Five passengers who were identified as having been in close contact with the doctor on the flight have also been placed under quarantine as a precautionary measure.

Health Minister Stephanie Rist announced the case on France 2, noting that the risk of transmission was assessed as low and that the situation was under control. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and government spokesperson Maud Bregeon are monitoring the development. The case is the first Ebola detection in France. The outbreak in the DRC involves the rare Bundibugyo variant, for which no approved treatment or vaccine exists, and the World Health Organization has declared an international public‑health emergency.