Two travellers who were removed from a British Airways flight that landed in The Bahamas on May 22 while en route to the Cayman Islands have been released from quarantine after testing negative for Ebola.

The Bahamas Ministry of Health said the men had been placed in isolation at the Modular Unit at Princess Margaret Hospital as a precaution after health screenings identified fever symptoms and revealed recent travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Health officials confirmed that tests carried out on both individuals returned negative results and said there are no cases of Ebola in The Bahamas.

“The risk to the general public remains low,” the ministry said, adding that the National Surveillance Unit will continue to monitor developments related to the outbreak.

The current Ebola outbreak, linked to the rare Bundibugyo virus strain, has infected more than 900 people.

Cases have been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Kenya, while at least 225 suspected deaths have been recorded.

Meanwhile, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has assessed the risk of Ebola reaching the region as low but continues to urge member states to remain vigilant.

CARPHA Executive Director Dr Lisa Indar has said that, despite the low risk, the primary route through which the virus could reach the Caribbean would be via an infected traveller, given the region’s role as a major international travel hub.

She noted that CARPHA continues to support member states through surveillance, early warning systems and coordination with international and regional health partners to help detect and respond to emerging public health threats.