Roeselare: Belgium has reissued emergency guidance to doctors and hospitals on handling suspected Ebola infections following a false alarm earlier this week in the city of Roeselare.

According to Anadolu Agency, Belgian authorities stated that no confirmed Ebola cases have been detected in the country. However, the Federal Public Service for Public Health (FPS) reminded hospitals and general practitioners of the necessary protocols to follow if patients exhibit symptoms associated with the virus.

'We have once again thoroughly informed hospitals and doctors about the emergency procedures in the event of a suspected infection with the Ebola virus,' FPS Public Health spokesperson Annelies Wynant said, as reported by Belga.

The renewed alert arises amid heightened international concern over Ebola outbreaks in Africa and the potential for infected travelers to arrive in Europe. Authorities emphasized that hospitals are prepared to immediately activate isolation procedures when a suspected case is identified.

These procedures were briefly enacted on Monday evening at a hospital in Roeselare after a patient displayed symptoms potentially related to Ebola. Subsequent laboratory tests ruled out an Ebola infection, and the alert was lifted.

On May 17, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a global health emergency. This declaration followed a rise in suspected infections and deaths in eastern Congo and confirmed cases appearing outside the initial outbreak area.

Health authorities have previously cautioned that the outbreak continued spreading in parts of Africa, affecting neighboring countries as well. According to Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), 10 countries-including Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda-face risks linked to potential Ebola outbreaks.

WHO has noted that while the risk of global spread remains low, the situation is being monitored closely due to the number of cases, infections among healthcare workers, and outbreaks in urban areas.