Dubai’s Emirates posts travel warning over killer Marburg virus
Travellers are advised to postpone trips unless absolutely necessary
Dubai’s Emirates has posted a travel warning on its website for customers travelling to Oman due to the confirmed break of the killer Marburg virus. The warning was issued by the Omani authorities to all airlines.
The advisory was issued on Thursday, stating that “those who have travelled from the impacted countries must isolate themselves and seek immediate assistance if they feel unwell within 21 days of travel.”
The warning was issued upon instruction by Oman authorities, advising travellers to postpone trips to countries affected by the Marburg virus and take precautions if the travel is urgent.
Oman’s travel advisory on Marburg virus outbreak
The issue statement reads, “Due to the confirmed outbreak of the Marburg virus in the Republic of Tanzania and Guinea, customers arriving in Oman, and who have travelled from the impacted countries must isolate themselves and seek immediate assistance if they feel unwell within 21 days of travel. The Oman authorities also advise travellers to postpone trips to countries affected by the Marburg virus and take precautions if the travel is urgent. Further details are available on the Oman Ministry of Health website.“
The Oman Ministry noted that note that efforts are being made to contain the outbreak in its current geographical scope.
Precautions to avoid the highly infectious disease, as per the Oman Ministry:
- Avoid direct contact with patients with symptoms like fever, muscle ache, and skin rash, as well as avoid visiting areas affected by Marburg Virus Disease (MVD).
- Avoid contact with blood and other body fluids, in general, from other people.
- Avoid contact with fruit bats or visiting mines and caves inhabited by these bats.
- Avoid contact with animals such as chimpanzees and gorillas.
- Travelers who are infected with fever, chills, muscle pain, skin rash, sore throat, diarrhea, weakness, vomiting, stomach pain, or unprovoked bleeding from anywhere or bruising during or after travel (till 21 days) should isolate themselves from others and head to the nearest healthcare institution (emergencies departments in hospitals). They should disclose to medical staff whether they have traveled to the infected areas or contacted people with Marburg Virus Disease (MVD).
The Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) is highly infectious, with a fatality rate of around 60 percent to 80 percent.
Reported on 7 April 2023 by ArabianBusiness.