Students told to get in touch with UAE authorities over swine flu fears

Abu Dhabi: Students studying abroad have been asked to call emergency numbers and notify UAE authorities should they suspect they have symptoms of swine flu.

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Both Emirati and expatriate students can call.

"We have provided UAE embassies and cultural attachés around the world with emergency contact numbers and email addresses to make it easy for the students to record any cases," an official said.

Gulf News on Tuesday reported that Emirati students abroad planning to return home for the summer holidays will be quarantined should they show symptoms of swine flu.

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research on Thursday said expatriate students will also be monitored. The ministry has already started follow up procedures to check Emirati and expatriate students.

"The ministry has contacted the UAE embassies in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Europe to get details about the students, both Emirati and expatriates and follow affected cases," a ministry official told Gulf News.

"There are about 1,950 Emirati students studying under scholarships with the Ministry, and the number of UAE students outside the UAE is more than 2,000, but we don't have the number of expatriate students."

UAE embassies in the US and Canada have also issued circulars, warning students that Ohio, California, New York, Kansas City and Texas have been affected by swine flu.

It is encouraging Emiratis abroad to remain in contact with those who are responsible for them or if they do not have anyone, to contact the embassy.

They have been urged to remain indoors in dormitories or residences and to avoid travelling to areas that have swine flu.

Meanwhile, the Abu Dhabi International Airport is stepping up precautionary measures against flu as the number of cases reported in the region is on the upswing.

"We are facilitating the establishment of mobile health clinics at the airport," an Abu Dhabi Airports Company (Adac) official told Gulf News.

Adac, being the airport operator, has overseen the deployment of high-tech thermal-imaging cameras and mobile detecting devices. Five imaging cameras have been deployed at Abu Dhabi airport and one at both Al Ain International and Al Bateen Executive Airport.

With inputs from Rayeesa Absal, Staff Reporter

Contact numbers

USA and Canada: The UAE embassy: 001-202-651-1309 The military attaché: 001-202-755-6005 http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm

Australia and New Zealand: Toll free number: 1800089190 Main number: 0061262868333) Fax number: 0061262868444 & 0061262868162
Other numbers: Victoria: Dr Ali Bu Salem: 0412 665 775

Queensland: Ahmad Abdul Rauof: 0423 067 788

New South Wales: Mustafa Sa'ad: 0466 494 195

Australian government hotline: 180 2007 For information and guidance: 0081 022 222

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