UAE: Embassy in Rome advises nationals to postpone travel to Italy February 26 /update 5

Event

The United Arab Emirates' Embassy in Rome has advised its citizens on Wednesday, February 26, to postpone travel to Italy amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the north of the country. It also advised those already in Italy to avoid the areas in which the outbreak is ongoing.

As of Thursday, February 27, there are 453 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Italy, including 12 deaths. The UAE has 13 confirmed cases and no recorded deaths.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in more than 30 countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On February 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the COVID-19 outbreak is a "very grave threat."

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Individuals in the UAE are advised to monitor the situation, anticipate further transportation disruptions, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities. Those traveling via DBX are advised to contact their airlines for more information.

To reduce the risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue; throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands
• If experiencing a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, seek medical care urgently and share your previous travel history with your health care provider
• Adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities and your home government.

In the case that symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness emerge either during or after travel, travelers are encouraged to seek medical attention and share their travel history with their health care provider. Travelers returning from China, South Korea, Italy, and Iran who develop symptoms of pneumonia are advised to call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to avoid potential spread of the disease.