ABU DHABI // An airline passenger suspected to have contracted the Ebola virus has tested negative and has left the country, the Ministry of Health has announced.
The passenger, who was coming from Liberia and transiting through Dubai International Airport, was suffering from symptoms which suggested possible Ebola infection. The man was quarantined for a few days to ensure he was free from the disease.
In a statement released through the state news agency, Wam, the ministry said Dubai Health Authority conducted medical checks in line with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) regulations, stating: “All preventive and precautionary measures were followed and full medical care was provided to the passenger during the quarantine period.”
The ministry said all the airports and land exits are observing all precautions to ensure public safety, adding that all procedures are reviewed in line with WHO guidelines.
The Health Authority Abu Dhabi said a Nigerian child transiting through the Abu Dhabi International Airport had also tested negative and has now left the country.
The incidents come on the back of an announcement earlier this month by both Dubai and Abu Dhabi international airports which claimed there will be no formal screening for the virus, though the airports said the situation was being monitored based on guidance from WHO.
Earlier this month, the UAE donated Dh18.3 million to the fight against Ebola, through the United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (Unicef).
The announcement was made by Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, the Minister of International Cooperation and Development and Head of the National Committee for the Coordination of Foreign Aid, at a meeting for the National Committee for the Coordination of Foreign Aid.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
