The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will update its existing plans to tackle threats posed by recent cases of bird flu in neighboring Saudi Arabia and some other countries, local newspaper Khaleej Times reported on Monday.
According to the report, the country's 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.
The meeting is expected to update the existing plans to monitor the spread of bird flu in the country.
"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," said Ali Al Marzouqi, Director of Public Health Affairs of Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services.
He, however, added that "we will discuss and may update the existing plans to keep the disease at bay."
The UAE's health authorities have developed a national influenza preparedness plan based on recommendations and protocol of the World Health Organization (WHO).
The plan includes stockpiling of antiviral medicines, training of health professionals on case diagnosis and management, reinforcing the surveillance system, monitoring high risk groups and undertaking all necessary preventive measures. Source: Xinhua
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