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UAE ready to deal with bird flu threat

DUBAI — Health authorities in the country are reviewing the international situation on avian flu and are expected to update the existing plans to monitor the spread of the disease in the country as holidayers return.

Members of the Local Committee for Control of Avian Flu, which is part of the National Emergency Committee for Control of Bird Flu, will meet on Wednesday to review the regional and international situation, and are expected to update the existing plans to tackle the disease.

Without giving details of the upcoming meeting, Salem Al Mesmar, Director of Public Health Department in Dubai Municipality and Chairman of the Local Committee for Bird Flu, said the monthly meeting will discuss the international situation. “We will be meeting this week and are expected to review the current plans,” he added.

“The National Emergency Committee for Control of Bird Flu meets only if there is an emergency and, at present, there is nothing to be worried about. The committee oversees and coordinates the work of all relevant sectors, and monitors the situation at the international and national levels,” he explained.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed recent cases in countries such as Pakistan and China. In the wake of these reports, local health authorities say holidayers returning from these countries could be in the high-risk groups.

Dr Ali Al Marzouqi, Director of Public Health Affairs, Dohms, yesterday said, “Cases of bird flu have recently been reported from Saudi Arabia but there have been no reports of any human cases of avian flu, so there is no need to quarantine anybody returning from that country.”

“But we will discuss and may update the existing plans to keep the disease at bay,” he added.

The authorities have developed a national influenza preparedness plan based on WHO recommendations and protocol.

The plan includes stockpiling of antiviral medicines (Tamiflu), training of health professionals on case diagnosis and management, reinforcing the surveillance system, monitoring high risk groups and undertaking all necessary preventive measures.