UAE is Zika-free: Health Ministry

The UAE is still free of the Zika virus as no such cases have been recorded thanks to the precautionary measures taken by the Health Ministry, an official has said.

“The ministry is following up this issue round the clock with the World Health Organisation,” Dr. Hussein Abdel Rahman, the Ministry’s Assistant Undersecretary for Clinics, told the Arabic language daily 'Al Bayan' on Tuesday.

“The country is still free of this disease but measures are needed to be taken continuously, including the sterilisation of all passenger aircraft.”

He said WHO has not asked members to warn their citizens against travelling to Zika-infested countries, but to instruct them on the necessary measures.

“These measures include avoiding mosquito areas, using mosquito repellent materials and wearing white and other light coloured clothes,” he said.

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