New Dubai law on infectious diseases to create quick outbreak response, conserve medical resources

Doctors in the UAE are emphasising that the will improve patient safety and optimise the use of medical resources.

Many healthcare professionals in the country have noted that this will reinforce the existing system, enabling quicker response to outbreaks and limiting the spread of diseases.

It is expected to reduce unnecessary patient suffering and help conserve hospital resources.

Under the new regulations, individuals who are infected or suspected of being infected must avoid any contact that could transmit the illness. They are not permitted to travel or move about — except to access healthcare services — without prior approval from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).

The law, approved by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, also makes it illegal to hide an infection or to spread it, whether deliberately or accidentally.

What’s the protocol?

Dr Ramkumar Sundaraperumal, Specialist Internal Medicine, Zulekha Hospital Dubai, said, “We already have a system in place for notification of all infectious diseases. Whenever we diagnose an infectious disease in the hospital there is an infectious disease notification form that is filled and submitted to the Dubai Helath Authority (DHA).”

Dr Ramkumar Sundaraperumal

He further explained that following the report, the DHA contacts the patient to gather additional information related to the diagnosis — such as recent travel history, details about people they live with, or whether others around them are showing similar symptoms.

“Now with this new rule it will strengthen the system already in place even more and help diseases from spreading and quickly curbing it. It will prevent unnecessary suffering of people and also help in saving the hospital resources.”

Communicable diseases

Communicable diseases, as identified by the DHA, include influenza, tuberculosis, measles, Covid-19, hepatitis, and meningitis, along with other infections transmitted through air, contact, food, water, or vectors such as dengue and malaria.

Healthcare professionals emphasised many contagious diseases have early symptoms that are often overlooked because they may seem mild or similar to common illnesses.

Dr Bhanuprakash Kadaba Bhaskar, Specialist in Critical Care Medicine and Medical Director, Medeor Hospital, Dubai, said, “For instance, influenza can start with a mild fever, fatigue, and body aches. Covid-19 may initially present with symptoms such as a sore throat, fever, body aches, or even a loss of taste or smell, which some might not immediately associate with the virus."

Dr Bhanuprakash Kadaba Bhaskar

"Tuberculosis, a serious but sometimes slow-progressing illness, often begins with a persistent cough, night sweats, an evening rise in temperature, and unexplained weight loss. Measles typically starts with a mild fever, red eyes, and a rash, which can be mistaken for other viral infections. Hepatitis might first show subtle signs like fatigue, nausea, and yellowing of the skin, which are often attributed to less serious conditions.”

Specialists therefore urge that recognising these early symptoms can help ensure timely medical attention and prevent the spread of these diseases.

Dr Ganesh Dhanuka, Specialist Internal Medicine and Nephrology, International Modern Hospital Dubai, said, “The recent amendments to the UAE’s Federal Law No. 14 of 2014 mark a decisive step forward in strengthening the nation's public health infrastructure. Mandatory reporting within 24 hours underscores the importance of timely data in outbreak containment.”

Dr Ganesh Dhanuka

Accountability from individuals, professionals

He stressed that this places accountability not only on individuals but also on healthcare professionals, ensuring a system of checks that is essential in early detection and response.

Dhanuka added, “Perhaps the most consequential provision could even be the criminalisation of deliberate transmission. This would reflect a shift in health policy where public safety is prioritised alongside individual rights. While some may view this as a hardline stance, it is necessary to protect vulnerable populations and maintain public trust in healthcare systems.

“Moreover, the law balances strict enforcement with social responsibility by guaranteeing free treatment for infected individuals with valid visas. This approach reflects a nuanced understanding: that health security cannot be achieved without inclusivity and access," he added.