ABU DHABI // Health officials yesterday moved to reassure the public amid possible concerns over a new strain of a respiratory virus.
The virus is similar to the pneumonia-like Sars, or severe acute respiratory syndrome. So far only two cases have been reported, one of them fatal, but both linked to Saudi Arabia.
Experts are monitoring the situation in the UAE, following standard guidelines recommended by the World Health Organisation.
"Any unusual strain is immediately sent to the National Influenza Centre at Al Qassimi Hospital, which reports back to the WHO," said Dr Mansour Al Zarouni, head of laboratories in Sharjah at the Ministry of Health. "This way the WHO can understand the pattern of the virus in the region and how it is evolving."
No cases have been reported to the centre and there is no need for the public to be concerned, Dr Al Zarouni said.
Both Sars and the new virus are a type of coronavirus, similar to influenza. However, there is no specific immunisation against either Sars or this strain of the virus.
Authorities in the United Kingdom informed the WHO on Saturday of a patient with acute respiratory syndrome with renal failure.
The 49-year-old Qatari had travelled to Saudi Arabia before becoming ill. He was admitted to an intensive care unit in Doha and later transferred to the UK by air ambulance. The strain of the virus was similar to that of a fatal case this year of a 60 year-old Saudi national.
The timing of the incident is of particular concern with the Haj pilgrimage next month. In 2010, more than 6,000 Haj pilgrims travelled to Saudi Arabia from the UAE.
Yesterday, the Health Authority-Abu Dhabi announced this year's Haj vaccination programme, which provides free haj immunisation in 37 healthcare facilities. Vaccinations include the quadruple meningococcal vaccine, which protects against meningitis and seasonal influenza, and the pneumococcal vaccine.
Dr Fatma Al Attar, head of preventive medicine at Dubai Health Authority, said the authority was collaborating with the Ministry of Health and following the actions of the WHO and the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
She said the authority continued to carry out awareness campaigns advising people which vaccinations to obtain before Haj. Mandatory vaccines include those for menococcal meningitis and influenza, and pneumococcal vaccinations for those with low immunity.
"This year we will also include information about this virus and the precautions they need to take to protect their health," Dr Al Attar said. "There are many types and subtypes of flu viruses and the flu vaccine will not provide protection for all these viruses."
Coronaviruses include the virus that causes the common cold as well as Sars. Most coronavirus infections go undiagnosed and the disease is self-limiting, Dr Al Attar said.
"This means that patients may only need fever medication, such as paracetamol, and the symptoms go away in five to seven days," she said. "Therefore most cases go undiagnosed because the person may not even need to seek medical advice."
Those with low immunity, including children under 5, adults over 65 and people with chronic diseases, are more prone to serious symptoms, Dr Al Attar said.
Dr Mamunur Malik, a medical officer in the epidemic and zoonotic disease division of communicable diseases at the WHO's regional office, said the agency was not recommending any travel restrictions and the source of infection remained unknown.
"It could be possible that these strains were causing minor illnesses before, which were not detected because they would recover on their own," he said. "We are still at a stage of collecting more information."
Dr Malik said the WHO was monitoring the situation.
A representative from Al Shahba, a travel agency in Sharjah that offers Haj and Umrah services, said they were unaware of the incident and that no health requirements had changed.
In addition to clinical findings, a patient's history is key to identifying the infection, said Mohamad Hamad, infection control manager at Lifeline Hospital in Abu Dhabi.
"Anyone who has been to a country where there has been a known outbreak is advised to stay at home for 72 hours to ensure they are in the clear," he said. "The incubation period for Sars can be anywhere from two to seven days."
Those who have knowingly come in contact with an infected individual are advised to seek treatment immediately. Direct contact is defined as coming within 1.5 metres of an infected person, he said.
Once an infection is confirmed, a hospital must alert the health authority in their emirate. The patient will undergo isolation procedures, including wearing a face mask and a hospital gown and gloves.
However, Mr Hamad said the virus, which thrives in a warm and moist environment, was unlikely to survive in the hot and dry GCC climate.
"The virus is not likely to survive beyond three hours in this environment," he said. "That is, of course, generally speaking and not referring to people who have been in direct contact with infected individuals."
mismail@thenational.ae
The Light of the Moon
Director: Jessica M Thompson
Starring: Stephanie Beatriz, Michael Stahl-David
Three stars
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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MATCH INFO
Tottenham 4 (Alli 51', Kane 50', 77'. Aurier 73')
Olympiakos 2 (El-Arabi 06', Semedo')
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
Changing visa rules
For decades the UAE has granted two and three year visas to foreign workers, tied to their current employer. Now that's changing.
Last year, the UAE cabinet also approved providing 10-year visas to foreigners with investments in the UAE of at least Dh10 million, if non-real estate assets account for at least 60 per cent of the total. Investors can bring their spouses and children into the country.
It also approved five-year residency to owners of UAE real estate worth at least 5 million dirhams.
The government also said that leading academics, medical doctors, scientists, engineers and star students would be eligible for similar long-term visas, without the need for financial investments in the country.
The first batch - 20 finalists for the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Distinction.- were awarded in January and more are expected to follow.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Difference between fractional ownership and timeshare
Although similar in its appearance, the concept of a fractional title deed is unlike that of a timeshare, which usually involves multiple investors buying “time” in a property whereby the owner has the right to occupation for a specified period of time in any year, as opposed to the actual real estate, said John Peacock, Head of Indirect Tax and Conveyancing, BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates, a law firm.
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
ABU%20DHABI'S%20KEY%20TOURISM%20GOALS%3A%20BY%20THE%20NUMBERS
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
$1,000 award for 1,000 days on madrasa portal
Daily cash awards of $1,000 dollars will sweeten the Madrasa e-learning project by tempting more pupils to an education portal to deepen their understanding of math and sciences.
School children are required to watch an educational video each day and answer a question related to it. They then enter into a raffle draw for the $1,000 prize.
“We are targeting everyone who wants to learn. This will be $1,000 for 1,000 days so there will be a winner every day for 1,000 days,” said Sara Al Nuaimi, project manager of the Madrasa e-learning platform that was launched on Tuesday by the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to reach Arab pupils from kindergarten to grade 12 with educational videos.
“The objective of the Madrasa is to become the number one reference for all Arab students in the world. The 5,000 videos we have online is just the beginning, we have big ambitions. Today in the Arab world there are 50 million students. We want to reach everyone who is willing to learn.”
Nick's journey in numbers
Countries so far: 85
Flights: 149
Steps: 3.78 million
Calories: 220,000
Floors climbed: 2,000
Donations: GPB37,300
Prostate checks: 5
Blisters: 15
Bumps on the head: 2
Dog bites: 1
57%20Seconds
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VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
The specs: 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman
Price, base / as tested Dh222,500 / Dh296,870
Engine 2.0L, flat four-cylinder
Transmission Seven-speed PDK
Power 300hp @ 6,500rpm
Torque 380hp @ 1,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.9L / 100km
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
How%20to%20avoid%20getting%20scammed
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3ENever%20click%20on%20links%20provided%20via%20app%20or%20SMS%2C%20even%20if%20they%20seem%20to%20come%20from%20authorised%20senders%20at%20first%20glance%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAlways%20double-check%20the%20authenticity%20of%20websites%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EEnable%20Two-Factor%20Authentication%20(2FA)%20for%20all%20your%20working%20and%20personal%20services%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EOnly%20use%20official%20links%20published%20by%20the%20respective%20entity%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EDouble-check%20the%20web%20addresses%20to%20reduce%20exposure%20to%20fake%20sites%20created%20with%20domain%20names%20containing%20spelling%20errors%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
Small Victories: The True Story of Faith No More by Adrian Harte
Jawbone Press
The specs
Engine: 2.9-litre, V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: seven-speed PDK dual clutch automatic
Power: 375bhp
Torque: 520Nm
Price: Dh332,800
On sale: now
