UAE lists six early Ebola symptoms

The United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Health and Prevention has issued a travel warning and public health guide telling travelers to watch for six early Ebola symptoms that can be mistaken for the flu, according to a June 1 Gulf News report. The symptoms listed were fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea and unexplained bleeding, Gulf News said. The report said the ministry urged people to seek medical advice if symptoms appear, as authorities step up public guidance tied to Ebola developments in parts of Africa. ### Which symptoms did the UAE warning single out? Gulf News reported on June 1 that the ministry’s guide listed fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea and unexplained bleeding as early warning signs travelers should not ignore. The newspaper said those symptoms can resemble flu-like illness in the early stage. (gulfnews.com) The World Health Organization says Ebola symptoms can begin suddenly and include fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache and sore throat, followed by vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, rash and, in some cases, internal or external bleeding. WHO also says Ebola can be difficult to distinguish clinically from other infectious diseases based on symptoms alone. (gulfnews.com) ### Why did UAE authorities issue the advisory now? A separate Gulf News report published May 30 said the Ministry of Health and Prevention issued a public advisory after the World Health Organization classified the Central Africa Ebola outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. That report said UAE authorities stressed awareness, symptom recognition and reliance on official guidance. (who.int) Another Gulf News report published the same weekend said the UAE warned citizens against non-essential travel to Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan, and urged travelers to remain vigilant and register with Twajudi, the foreign ministry service for citizens abroad. (gulfnews.com) ### How does Ebola spread, according to health authorities? Gulf News said Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person or with contaminated materials. WHO says people infected with Ebola are not infectious until they develop symptoms. WHO’s outbreak toolbox says a suspected case can involve sudden high fever plus several symptoms including headache, aching muscles, vomiting or diarrhea, or any inexplicable bleeding. (gulfnews.com) WHO says those definitions are used to support outbreak detection and response. ### What are travelers being told to do if symptoms appear? (gulfnews.com) The June 1 Gulf News report said the ministry advised travelers to seek medical advice if Ebola-like symptoms develop. WHO similarly says people with symptoms consistent with Ebola should seek advice immediately from a healthcare provider because the illness can resemble malaria, typhoid fever, dengue or Marburg virus disease. (who.int) The UAE health ministry has also maintained a Travelers Health Clinic initiative through preventive medicine centers to assess travel-related health risks and the health status of travelers, according to the ministry’s website. ### Where can readers find the official guidance next? The Ministry of Health and Prevention’s website maintains an awareness center and health materials pages for public guidance, while Gulf News said the June 1 advisory was part of the ministry’s current Ebola safety messaging. (gulfnews.com) Travelers planning trips to affected countries can also monitor UAE government updates and seek pre-travel advice through ministry channels. (mohap.gov.ae 1) (mohap.gov.ae 2)