A passenger arriving at Dubai International Airport from Liberia was put in isolation over fears that he might have the Ebola virus.
The Ministry of Health said late on Wednesday that the passenger arrived in the UAE via Morocco.
It said he was out in isolation “to make the necessary tests after suffering from diarrhea”.
According to a report on national news agency WAM, the ministry said: “The purpose of the test was to ensure that the passenger does not suffer from Ebola symptoms.”
The report added: “As part of the ministry’s adopted precautionary measures in these cases, the passenger was quarantined, monitored and conducted the necessary tests according to the medical requirements and procedures of the World Health Organisation in such similar cases.
“The ministry stated that in the case where the patient was proved to suffer from Ebola, all necessary procedures will be taken to protect the people who are accompanying them.
“The ministry said that all the necessary medical procedures were done to the passengers of the plane to ensure their health safety. The Ministry of Health reassures that it cooperates with all the health authorities in the UAE, and air, land and sea exits have been taking the necessary precautions since the beginning of Ebola epidemic to ensure the safety of UAE nationals and expatriates.”
Ebola first appeared in 1976 in Congo and has caused periodic outbreaks there and in other central African countries. It had not been detected in West Africa until the current epidemic – the worst ever of Ebola – began earlier this year.
So far, more than 8,900 people have been infected and more than 4,400 have died, mostly in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Officials say the epidemic is not even close to being brought under control.
