UAE authorities assured the public that the country’s health monitoring and response systems remain fully prepared to handle any developments related to hantavirus while stressing that the situation does not currently pose pandemic concerns.
The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority and the Ministry of Health and Prevention said the UAE continues to regularly review and evaluate its health preparedness and surveillance systems in line with international standards and best practices.
The statement followed a meeting of the National Team for Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management for Human Epidemics chaired by Health Minister Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh together with strategic government partners.
Officials discussed the latest global developments involving hantavirus, including preventive monitoring measures, health response systems, and coordination with local and international health authorities.
Authorities confirmed that preventive monitoring measures remain in place as part of the UAE’s proactive strategy to strengthen public health preparedness and improve response capabilities for communicable diseases.
The government also emphasized the readiness of hospitals, healthcare facilities, and medical personnel nationwide to respond effectively if needed.
Officials urged the public to rely on official government information and avoid circulating inaccurate or misleading reports online.
The World Health Organization currently classifies hantavirus as a low-risk virus in terms of global epidemic spread due to limited human-to-human transmission.
Health authorities noted that most reported hantavirus infections are linked to exposure to rodents or environments contaminated by rodent urine and droppings.
The latest advisory came amid heightened international monitoring following the outbreak aboard the expedition cruise ship MV Hondius, where several passengers tested positive for the Andes strain of hantavirus.
Despite global attention surrounding the outbreak, international health officials continue to emphasize that the current situation is not comparable to the COVID-19 pandemic.
