The UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has issued updated travel guidance for residents amid ongoing international monitoring of an Ebola outbreak, while reaffirming that no confirmed cases have been recorded in the country.

The ministry said the UAE’s public health situation remains stable and that authorities continue to maintain high levels of preparedness through enhanced surveillance, risk assessment and preventive measures.

What travellers need to know

MoHAP is urging residents travelling abroad to check the latest travel advisories before departure, follow health guidelines in their destination country and maintain good personal hygiene throughout their journey.

Travellers have also been advised to avoid contact with anyone showing symptoms of illness and to seek medical attention immediately if they develop symptoms after travel, while informing healthcare providers about their recent travel history.

The guidance comes after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised against non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan.

Ebola symptoms to watch for

According to the ministry, Ebola symptoms can appear between two and 21 days after exposure and may initially include:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Weakness
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Sore throat
• Abdominal pain

In severe cases, the disease can lead to bleeding, organ failure and shock.

No vaccine for current strain

Health authorities noted that there is currently no licensed vaccine specifically approved for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola linked to the current outbreak.

The outbreak is primarily concentrated in parts of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

How Ebola spreads

MoHAP stressed that Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person, contaminated surfaces, infected animals or contaminated animal products.

The ministry also clarified that Ebola is not an airborne disease and does not spread like Covid-19 or influenza. Individuals are generally not contagious before symptoms develop.

UAE ready for emergencies

Reassuring residents, the ministry said the UAE continues to work closely with national and international health partners to monitor developments and implement precautionary measures aimed at protecting public health.

Officials reiterated that no Ebola cases have been detected in the UAE and encouraged residents to rely on official sources for health updates and travel advice.

The UAE is preparing to make work permit applications even faster and simpler as the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) launches a new phase of labour market reforms.

As part of the initiative, MoHRE has opened a public consultation period until July 30, inviting employers, employees and members of the public to share feedback on existing work permit services and suggest improvements.

The ministry said the latest reforms will focus on simplifying procedures, reducing administrative requirements and expanding digital services to improve customer experience and speed up transaction processing.

Faster, simpler work permit services

According to MoHRE, the planned upgrades are designed to support the UAE’s wider Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme by making work permit services more efficient and user-friendly.

The ministry recently removed the requirement for supporting documents across several permit categories and reduced mandatory application fields by up to 97 per cent, significantly cutting processing times.

Officials say the next phase will build on those changes by redesigning permit procedures and increasing the use of digital channels.

13 types of work permits

MoHRE currently issues 13 different work permits tailored to various employment arrangements, including:

• Recruitment permits for workers hired from outside the UAE
• Transfer work permits
• Family-sponsored resident work permits
• Part-time work permits
• Temporary and mission work permits
• Freelance work permits
• Golden Visa holder work permits
• Student training and employment permits
• Juvenile work permits for individuals aged 15 to 18
• UAE and GCC national work permits

The ministry said the reforms are aimed at supporting private-sector growth, protecting workers’ rights and strengthening the UAE’s position as a competitive global labour market.

Public feedback open until July 30

Residents, employers and businesses can submit suggestions through MoHRE’s electronic consultation platform before July 30.

The ministry said public feedback will help shape future enhancements and support the development of faster, more flexible and fully digital government services aligned with the UAE’s long-term economic vision.

Indian chess star Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu produced a brilliant final-round victory to win Norway Chess 2026, capping a dramatic finish to one of the year’s most prestigious tournaments.

Entering the final day half a point behind leader Wesley So, Praggnanandhaa knew only a win would give him a realistic chance of claiming the title. The 19-year-old delivered under pressure, defeating Vincent Keymer with the white pieces to secure the full three points and surge to first place.

The victory lifted Praggnanandhaa to 18 points, enough to overtake Wesley So and clinch the Norway Chess crown in Oslo.

So, who had led the standings heading into the final round, drew his classical game against Alireza Firouzja before winning the Armageddon tiebreak. However, the extra points were not enough to keep him ahead of the charging Indian grandmaster.

Firouzja completed a strong campaign to finish third overall.

Elsewhere, world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen signed off in style with a classical victory over reigning world champion Gukesh Dommaraju, delighting home fans with a final-round win.

Final Standings

• Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu – 18 points
• Wesley So – 17 points
• Alireza Firouzja – 15.5 points

Assaubayeva dominates women’s event

In the Norway Chess Women’s tournament, Bibisara Assaubayeva completed a dominant campaign to secure the title after having already wrapped up first place with a round to spare.

The final day featured three decisive classical games, eliminating the need for Armageddon tiebreaks.

Women’s world champion Ju Wenjun handed Assaubayeva her first classical defeat of the tournament, while Zhu Jiner defeated Humpy Koneru to secure second place overall. Anna Muzychuk also ended her campaign on a high note with a victory over Divya Deshmukh to finish third.

Norway Chess women’s final standings

• Bibisara Assaubayeva – 16.5 points
• Zhu Jiner – 16 points
• Anna Muzychuk – 15 points

Praggnanandhaa’s triumph marks another major milestone in the young Indian grandmaster’s rapidly rising career and further strengthens India’s growing influence at the highest level of world chess.