Under the law, communicable diseases must be reported. Failure to do so will make the person liable to penalties including jail or fine or both. Here are some of the other provisions of the law:

• Doctors, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and medical professionals in the government and the private sector must report within 24 hours about any person suffering from or who has died of a communicable disease.
• Adults who came in contact with a person infected or suspected to be infected with a communicable disease must also report the incident immediately to the nearest health authority in the country.
• Any person who knows that he suffers from a communicable disease and yet intentionally indulges in a behaviour that exposes others to transmission is liable by law.
• Whoever knows that he is infected or suspects to be infected and fails to inform the health authorities is liable by law.
• Individuals who fail to show up for tests and treatment despite knowing that they are infected or likely to have been infected and those who refuse to adhere to the preventive measures or prescriptions and instructions given will be prosecuted.

How to report communicable diseases?

Private sector medical facilities in Dubai submit notification about any infectious disease to Dubai Health Authority

In Abu Dhabi, health care providers can report through Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre.