The UAE has confirmed that no Ebola infections have been recorded within the country, reassuring residents after reports emerged about a traveller who was diagnosed with the virus days after leaving the Emirates.

According to the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), the UAE’s health system remains on high alert with robust disease surveillance and response mechanisms in place to monitor global health developments and emerging infectious threats.

Officials explained that the individual in question had travelled through the UAE before later testing positive for Ebola upon arrival in Uganda. The ministry noted that the traveller did not seek medical treatment or visit any healthcare facility during their stay in the Emirates.

MoHAP emphasised that there is currently no public health risk within the UAE and confirmed that no Ebola cases have been detected nationwide.

Health authorities said they are maintaining close coordination with international partners, including the WHO, to track developments and evaluate any potential risks related to the situation.

As part of the country’s precautionary public health strategy, relevant authorities have already implemented established response measures, including risk assessments, contact tracing procedures and preventive protocols aligned with national guidelines and international best practices.

The ministry reiterated that the UAE’s disease monitoring systems remain highly effective and capable of responding rapidly to any potential health concerns.

Residents were also urged to rely on official announcements for accurate information and avoid spreading rumours or unverified reports on social media and messaging platforms.

Authorities stressed that public awareness, transparency and preparedness remain key pillars of the UAE’s approach to safeguarding community health and wellbeing.

The UAE has officially declared Monday, June 15, 2026, a public holiday for both public and private sector employees to mark the Islamic New Year 1448.

The announcement was made by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, confirming a paid day off for workers across the country.

Normal working hours will resume on Tuesday, June 16.

As the holiday falls on a Monday, most employees who enjoy a Saturday-Sunday weekend will benefit from a three-day break.

For government employees in Sharjah, the holiday will create an even longer weekend. With the emirate’s four-day workweek already providing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays off, the additional Monday holiday means a four-day break.

The Islamic New Year, also known as the Hijri New Year, marks the beginning of a new year in the Islamic lunar calendar. It falls on the first day of Muharram, the opening month of the Hijri calendar, and is traditionally confirmed through official moon-sighting procedures.

The occasion is one of the UAE’s official public holidays and is observed by both government entities and private sector companies.

The announcement comes shortly after residents enjoyed the longest holiday period of the year during Eid Al Adha.

Earlier this month, government employees benefited from an extended nine-day break, while many private sector workers received up to six days off.

With June 15 now confirmed as a public holiday, UAE residents have another long weekend to look forward to before the summer holiday season gets underway.

Dubai’s private schools will face short-notice inspections from the 2026-27 academic year under a revamped quality assurance framework announced by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).

Under the new approach, schools will receive no more than 24 hours’ notice before inspectors arrive, marking a significant shift in how education quality is monitored across the emirate.

KHDA said the updated system will include two types of visits. Full inspections will be carried out by teams of specialist education experts, while shorter monitoring visits will focus on specific areas of school performance and quality assurance.

Return of formal inspection

The move signals the return of formal inspection activity after KHDA paused inspections during the 2025-26 academic year. At the time, the authority said the break would allow for greater collaboration with schools and a review of how educational quality is assessed and supported.

The new model aims to provide a more responsive and differentiated approach to evaluating schools, with visits designed to offer a clearer picture of day-to-day operations and educational standards.

Dubai’s private school sector serves hundreds of thousands of students across a wide range of international curricula, making quality assurance a key part of maintaining educational standards and supporting continuous improvement.

Further details on how the inspection and monitoring framework will operate are expected ahead of the 2026-27 academic year.