A recent report highlighted the impact of a prolonged dengue outbreak in the UAE following severe flooding, particularly affecting low-income migrant workers. The heavy rainfall in April led to stagnant water pools, ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus. Despite warnings from authorities to avoid stagnant water and use mosquito repellents, many residents, especially migrant workers, have fallen ill.
Efforts to address the outbreak include deploying specialist teams to eliminate mosquito breeding sites. However, areas with high migrant worker populations, like Dubai and Sharjah, still struggle with stagnant water issues, leading to more cases of dengue infections.
Reports from affected individuals, including a construction worker and a Pakistani woman, shed light on the challenges they face accessing proper healthcare and support from their employers. The situation highlights the need for improved healthcare access for all residents, regardless of employment status.
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The dengue outbreak serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by vulnerable populations during crises and the urgent need for equitable healthcare access in the UAE.