Colombian health authorities confirmed two imported cases of malaria in citizens who recently traveled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with one patient dying and another remaining hospitalized in isolation as officials conduct additional tests to rule out Ebola.

The Ministry of Health and the National Institute of Health (INS) said both patients tested positive for Plasmodium falciparum, a malaria parasite capable of causing severe illness. One of the patients, a 33-year-old man, died Saturday, October 31, at a hospital in Palmira, in the southwestern department of Valle del Cauca. The second patient, a 50-year-old man, remains hospitalized under isolation and medical care in nearby Cali.

The cases prompted authorities to activate epidemiological surveillance and additional laboratory testing because of the patients' recent travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where a serious Ebola outbreak has been reported. Officials emphasized that malaria is currently the only confirmed diagnosis in the two patients and that no Ebola infection has been confirmed in Colombia.

INS Director Zulma Cucunubá said samples were collected to investigate other possible infections, including Ebola, as part of standard public health precautions. She also stressed that the testing does not mean the patients have been diagnosed with the virus.

Authorities are investigating the travelers' movements in the Congo, their potential exposure to infectious diseases and the possibility of additional contacts. Two other people identified during the initial investigation have also been reported to have malaria and are receiving treatment, according to information released by Colombian health authorities.

The investigation is being coordinated by the INS, the national Ministry of Health and local health agencies in Cali and Palmira. Officials are also working with migration authorities to review travel information and establish the patients' movements before and after returning to Colombia.

Health officials urged anyone who has recently traveled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and develops a fever or other concerning symptoms to seek medical attention and disclose their travel history. The investigation remains ongoing as laboratory results and contact tracing help determine whether any additional public health measures are necessary.