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Alsuwaidi AR, Al Hosani FI, ElGhazali G, Al-Ramadi BK. The COVID-19 response in the United Arab Emirates: challenges and opportunities. Nat Immunol 2021; 22:1066-1067. [PMID: 34316063 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-021-01000-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed R Alsuwaidi
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
| | | | - Gehad ElGhazali
- Sheikh Khalifa Medical City-Union 71, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Basel K Al-Ramadi
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. .,Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
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Alsuwaidi AR, Al Hosani FI, ElGhazali's G, Al-Ramadi BK. Author Correction: The COVID-19 response in the United Arab Emirates: challenges and opportunities. Nat Immunol 2021; 22:1186. [PMID: 34389829 PMCID: PMC8361412 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-021-01020-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed R Alsuwaidi
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
| | | | - Gehad ElGhazali's
- Sheikh Khalifa Medical City-Union 71, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Basel K Al-Ramadi
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. .,Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
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Alsuwaidi AR, Al Hosani FI, Al Memari S, Narchi H, Abdel Wareth L, Kamal H, Al Ketbi M, Al Baloushi D, Elfateh A, Khudair A, Al Mazrouei S, AlHumaidan HS, Alghaithi N, Afsh K, Al Kaabi N, Altrabulsi B, Jones M, Shaban S, Sheek-Hussein M, Zoubeidi T. Seroprevalence of COVID-19 infection in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: a population-based cross-sectional study. Int J Epidemiol 2021; 50:1077-1090. [PMID: 33893483 PMCID: PMC8135550 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyab077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was the first country in the Middle East to report severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Serosurveys are essential to understanding the extent of virus transmission. This cross-sectional study aims to assess the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Methods Between 19 July and 14 August 2020, 4487 households were selected using a random sample stratified by region and citizenship of the head of household (UAE citizen or non-citizen). A cluster sample of 40 labour camps was selected. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, risk factors and symptoms compatible with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were collected. Each participant was first tested by Roche Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 assay, followed, when reactive, by the LIAISON® SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 IgG assay. Results Among 8831 individuals from households, seroprevalence was 10·4% [95% confidence intervals (CIs) 9·5–11·4], with higher seroprevalence in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain regions compared with those in Al Dhafra. In households, we found no sex difference and UAE citizens had lower seroprevalence compared with those of other nationalities. Among 4855 workers residing in labour camps, seroprevalence was 68·6% (95% CI 61·7–74·7), with higher seroprevalence among workers from Southeast Asia. In households, individuals with higher body mass indexes demonstrated higher seroprevalences than individuals with normal weight. Anosmia and ageusia were strongly associated with seropositivity. Conclusions The majority of household populations in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi remained unexposed to SARS-CoV-2. In labour camps, SARS-CoV-2 transmission was high. Effective public health measures should be maintained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed R Alsuwaidi
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | | | | | - Hassib Narchi
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Laila Abdel Wareth
- National Reference Laboratory, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.,Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hazem Kamal
- Abu Dhabi Public Health Center, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mai Al Ketbi
- Ambulatory Healthcare Services, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Durra Al Baloushi
- Ambulatory Healthcare Services, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Abubaker Elfateh
- Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ahmed Khudair
- Abu Dhabi Public Health Center, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Hiba Saud AlHumaidan
- Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Noura Alghaithi
- Ambulatory Healthcare Services, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Khalil Afsh
- Al Dhafra Hospitals, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Nawal Al Kaabi
- Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Basel Altrabulsi
- National Reference Laboratory, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.,Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Matthew Jones
- National Reference Laboratory, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sami Shaban
- Department of Medical Education, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohamud Sheek-Hussein
- Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Taoufik Zoubeidi
- Department of Analytics in the Digital Era, College of Business and Economics, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
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Al Hosani FI, Yahia GA. Prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis among expatriates subjected to medical visa screening in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. J Epidemiol Glob Health 2013; 3:23-30. [PMID: 23856535 PMCID: PMC7320379 DOI: 10.1016/j.jegh.2012.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2012] [Revised: 12/04/2012] [Accepted: 12/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: All applicants for work and/or residence in Abu Dhabi are screened for tuberculosis at the time of issuing or renewing their residence visa. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of TB among visa applicants and the likelihood of testing positive among different subgroups. Methods: Data from the electronic visa screening system was used for a total of 948,504 applicants screened for residence in Abu Dhabi from January to December 2010. Results: The screening identified 4577 suspected cases of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB); 1558 people with chest X-ray findings suggestive of prior PTB; 235 smear-positives; and 132 culture-positive cases. The prevalence of active PTB was 39/100,000, with new applicants significantly more likely to test positive compared with renewals (OR: 2.05, 95% CI: 1.5–2.7, P < .001). People coming from African countries had the highest prevalence of TB compared with people from other regions (OR: 21.25, 95% CI: 6.72–67.17, P < .001). Conclusion: The number of active PTB cases among applicants for visa screening is still of a real concern. Without a rigorous screening system, the disease can spread to the community and hit other people. Certain subgroups were more likely to have the disease; this could provide the scientific foundation for future amendments in the screening requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farida I Al Hosani
- Communicable Diseases Department, Health Authority of Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
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