UAE health ministry debunks Ebola myths

The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention said on Tuesday that it was pushing back against false claims about Ebola as summer travel picks up and online rumors spread. The ministry urged residents to rely on verified scientific information and not circulate unverified reports, according to Gulf News. Officials said there was no cause for concern inside the UAE and that national surveillance, airport screening and healthcare preparedness protocols were in place. Gulf News said the ministry issued the advisory after renewed international attention on an outbreak in parts of Africa. ### What exactly did the UAE ministry say? Gulf News reported on June 2 that the ministry warned misinformation can create unnecessary fear and confusion during international health events. The ministry said residents should get updates from official channels rather than social media posts or informal messages, the report said. It also linked the warning to the peak summer travel season, when more residents are planning international trips. (gulfnews.com) The ministry said the public should follow “verified scientific information,” according to Gulf News. In the same report, officials said the UAE’s public-health systems were monitoring developments and maintaining preparedness measures. ### Which Ebola myths were being addressed? The World Health Organization says Ebola is spread through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person, alive or deceased, and not through casual contact alone. (gulfnews.com) WHO also says a person infected with Ebola cannot spread the disease until symptoms begin. Those symptoms can include fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache and sore throat, and the incubation period ranges from 2 to 21 days. Gulf News reported a separate UAE health advisory on June 1 that highlighted six early Ebola symptoms that can resemble the flu and said there was no cause for undue alarm. That report said the ministry was stressing accurate information as attention grew around the outbreak in parts of Africa. ### Is the UAE changing travel or airport procedures? Gulf News reported that airport screening measures remain in place in the UAE as part of the country’s preparedness protocols. (who.int) The ministry did not describe a new blanket restriction in the June 2 report, but said surveillance and healthcare readiness systems were active. A separate Gulf News report published on May 30 said the UAE had advised the public to avoid non-essential travel to affected Central African nations after the World Health Organization classified the outbreak there as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. (gulfnews.com) That report said authorities were emphasizing awareness, symptom recognition and official guidance. (gulfnews.com) ### Why did officials focus on misinformation now? June 2 reporting in Gulf News tied the ministry’s message to travel season and to increased attention around Ebola developments abroad. The ministry said false claims can spread quickly and create unwarranted fear, the newspaper reported. WHO guidance says Ebola symptoms overlap with other illnesses, making testing important for accurate diagnosis and early treatment. (gulfnews.com) That overlap is one reason health authorities often stress official information during outbreaks, according to WHO’s public guidance. ### Where should travelers look next? The Ministry of Health and Prevention’s official channels and awareness materials are the sources the UAE said residents should use for updates. (gulfnews.com) The World Health Organization also maintains public Ebola fact sheets and question-and-answer pages covering transmission, symptoms and prevention. June travel decisions involving affected countries are likely to be shaped by any further UAE ministry advisories and World Health Organization updates. (who.int) Gulf News said the ministry’s latest message was aimed at residents preparing for international travel during the summer season. (gulfnews.com) (mohap.gov.ae)