UAE airports, hospitals on Nipah alert
dubai — The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has advised officials of airlines, airports and seaports to watch out for passengers exhibiting symptoms of Nipah virus (NiV).
In a circular issued to all local authorities, airports, airlines, private and public hospitals, the ministry outlined measures to be taken to protect the UAE from the communicable virus that has claimed 14 lives in the south Indian state of Kerala since its outbreak.
The circular has also been distributed to all airlines coming directly from Kerala to the UAE, according to a top official. “If they (airline officials) suspect any case with symptoms, it has to be isolated immediately,” said Dr Fatma Al Attar, director of international health regulations at the ministry.
dubai — All airlines and point of entries in the UAE, including airports and seaports, have been advised to keep a watch out for people exhibiting symptoms of Nipah virus (NiV), a senior health official from the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) said.
In a circular issued to all local authorities, airports, airlines, private and public hospitals on Thursday, the ministry outlined measures to be taken to protect the UAE from the communicable virus that has claimed up to 14 lives in Kerala, India, since its outbreak. Over 40 people are in quarantine due to the virus scare.
Dr Fatma Al Attar, director of International Health Regulations at the ministry, told Khaleej Times that the circular had also been sent to all healthcare workers in private and public hospitals.
“It states the case definition, symptoms and signs, how to detect the cases and how to take all the precautionary measures since the Nipah virus can be transmitted from person to person, through body fluids,” she said.
Dr Fatma said that the circular had also been sent to all points of entries including the airports and seaports, with regards to any suspected cases exhibiting symptoms of Nipah.
“The circular has also been distributed to all airlines coming directly from Kerala,” she said.
“If they suspect any case with symptoms, it has to be isolated immediately,” Dr Fatma said, adding that the circular also advises airport officials on how to protect workers and who to inform at the airport for isolating and properly transferring the case to the hospital.
Last week, the ministry also asked residents to put off travel to Kerala unless absolutely necessary.