Abu dhabi: The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) and the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) have confirmed the readiness of the UAE's national surveillance and response system to address any health developments or emerging situations, particularly those related to hantavirus. They noted that the country's approved preparedness and health monitoring measures are subject to regular evaluation and review, aligning with international best practices and approved standards.
According to Emirates News Agency, this confirmation came during a meeting of the National Team for the Management of Emergencies, Crises, and Disasters Related to Human Epidemics. The meeting was chaired by Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of Health and Prevention, and supervised by NCEMA. It included participation from team members representing relevant entities and strategic partners. The meeting focused on the latest developments related to the hantavirus, assessing the UAE's national health surveillance and response systems, existing precautionary measures, and the coordination and integration of mechanisms with relevant entities at local, national, and international levels.
The team affirmed the continued implementation of precautionary monitoring measures as part of the UAE's proactive approach to strengthening public health preparedness and communicable disease response systems. They emphasized ensuring the readiness of healthcare facilities and medical teams to respond efficiently and effectively to various health situations when required.
The team also stressed the importance of obtaining information from official sources and refraining from circulating or publishing inaccurate information. They reaffirmed the UAE's longstanding commitment to protecting public health and strengthening community health awareness.
The World Health Organization has classified the hantavirus as a low-risk pathogen concerning global epidemic spread. They cited its limited potential for human-to-human transmission and noted that most reported infections are linked to direct contact with rodents or environments contaminated by their waste. The WHO further noted that the current public health situation does not indicate any level of risk that would warrant concern over a potential pandemic.