The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has reassured residents that there is no cause for concern regarding Ebola within the UAE, while urging the public to rely on verified information and avoid misinformation circulating online.
In an advisory issued ahead of the busy summer travel season, the ministry said the UAE continues to maintain robust public health measures, including disease surveillance systems, airport screening procedures and healthcare preparedness protocols.
Health officials warned that misinformation can spread rapidly during international disease outbreaks and stressed that residents should seek updates only from official and trusted sources.
The ministry also addressed several common misconceptions about Ebola. Officials clarified that Ebola is not an airborne disease and does not spread in the same way as COVID-19. Instead, transmission occurs through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person or contaminated materials.
Authorities further noted that the risk to most international travellers remains very low, as Ebola is not spread through casual contact. Infected individuals are generally not considered contagious until symptoms begin to appear.
MoHAP also emphasised that no Ebola outbreak has ever been classified as a global pandemic. Current international health assessments continue to consider the global risk relatively low despite ongoing outbreaks in parts of Africa.
The ministry highlighted that the UAE maintains continuous monitoring and preparedness measures, including hospital readiness and screening procedures at points of entry, to safeguard public health.
Officials advised residents to be aware of early Ebola symptoms, which may include fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, vomiting and general weakness. Symptoms typically develop between two and 21 days after exposure to the virus.
The ministry reiterated its commitment to protecting public health and encouraged residents to remain informed through official channels while avoiding the spread of unverified information.
