(TIF) Personal, Occupational, and Public Health Perspectives on Dealing with the First Case of Influenza A (H1N1) in the United Arab Emirates New epidemics of infectious diseases often involve health care workers. In this short communication we present a case report of a health care professional who became the first case of influenza H1N1 virus to be notified in the United Arab Emirates. There are several issues related to workplace considerations and general public health, including preventive measures, the need for isolation of the patient, dealing with contacts, return to work, and communication with the workforce. In recent years influenza viruses have circulated in seasonal (H3N2, H1N1) and avian (including H5N1) forms. There has been concern that Influenza A (H5N1), a worldwide cause of large poultry outbreaks, which by December 2009 had affected 467 persons (282 deaths), would drift or shift to become the next pandemic strain [1] . However in April 2009 'Swine flu' caused by a new strain of influenza A, Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 emerged.