Travel advisory to Kerala over Nipah virus lifted

DUBAI — THE UAE Ministry Of Health And Prevention (MoHAP) has lifted the travel advisory to Kerala it had issued in mid-May after a Nipah Virus (NIV) outbreak claimed over 17 lives in the South Indian State.

With summer holidays around the corner, the Ministry, however, has asked residents to take all precautions while travelling abroad. In a statement sent to Khaleej

Times, the Ministry said: “According to the latest report received from the World Health Organisation (WHO), the disease has been controlled and there are no travel barriers to Kerala.

“The Ministry does not prohibit the public from travelling to Kerala but precautions should be taken by the travellers to any area suffering from endemic diseases in the world,” read the statement.

“We recommend travellers to any destination in the world to visit MoHAP traveller’s clinics to consult our doctors before travelling for an adequate period of four to six weeks for the following reasons,” the statement said.

To assess the health risks associated with travel and health status, it also recommended to conduct some necessary tests if required as well as to introduce the traveller to the various types of vaccinations that may be needed for the destination. THE statement said that a visit to the traveler’s clinic was also important to provide awareness and advice to ensure a person’s safety while traveling.

In May, the Ministry had asked people to put off unnecessary travel to Kerala, where a Nipah Virus (NIV) outbreak claimed a number of lives and also led to several others being put in quarantine.

It had also issued a circular to officials of airlines, airports and seaports to watch out for passengers coming into UAE and exhibiting symptoms of Nipah Virus (NIV).

The circular was distributed to all airlines coming directly from Kerala to the UAE, according to a health official.

“If they (airline officials) suspect any case with symptoms, it has to be isolated immediately,” Dr Fatma Al AttAr, Director Of International Health Regulations At The Ministry, said.

The ministry does not prohibit the public from traveling to Kerala but precautions should be taken by the travelers to any area suffering from endemic diseases in the world.” Ministry statement