Page 129 - DUBAI MUNICIPALITY ENGLISH PR REPORT MAY 2024

5/14/24, 2:10 PM Dubai Central Laboratory implements AI-based technology to detect ‘Legionella’ bacteria - Middle East Events.
Dubai Central Laboratory implements AI-based technology to detect ‘Legionella’

bacteria

Sunday, May 12, 2024

Dubai Central Laboratory, affiliated with Dubai Municipality has implemented a new artificial
intelligence (AI) technology which is the first in the region to seamlessly detect Legionella
pulmonary bacteria, a form of bacteria that causes several acute respiratory infections.

The method is both accurate and sustainable in identifying live colonies of this type of bacteria. It
also shows the results of the examination in specific concentrations from the specimen, accurately
quantifying the bacterial counts to 99 percent of the time. This also leads to a faster completion rate
of the work due to fewer requirements for laboratory supplies.

Hind Mahmoud Ahmed, Director of the Dubai Central Laboratory Department, underscored Dubai
Municipality’s commitment towards developing digital infrastructure for its laboratories and
equipping them with cutting-edge systems that improve the overall effectiveness of the Emirate’s
health and safety system.

The latest move furthers the Municipality's objective of developing and implementing globally
recognised standards for laboratory and calibration certificates, as well as safeguarding public health

and wellness.

Hind commented, “This revolutionary method of detecting the Legionella pulmonary bacteria is
among the latest to be accredited globally by the European Water Testing Network. It also has a
certificate of recognition from AOAC International. The technology is very accurate and quick to
produce results, typically needing 48 hours as opposed to the 14 days that traditional methods
require.”

In addition, the Acting Director of the Dubai Central Laboratory Department stated that more than
100,000 tests are carried out yearly by microbiological analysis laboratories on a variety of food
types, environmental water, and consumer products (ISO/IEC 17025:2017) to guarantee the safety of
goods sold in Dubai markets.

It also entails the use of research and development studies for diverse microbiological examinations,
assuring that laboratories have the capacity to respond promptly to various kinds of circumstances.

Focusing on the health and safety of consumers, the new technology supports the framework of
microbiological exams implemented to make sure that there is no corrupt microbial growth or disease

transmitted across different commodities and products.

Dubai Central Laboratory system has several specialised laboratories, which include Chemical
Analysis Laboratory, Microbiological Analysis, Infrastructure and Construction Materials
Laboratories, Metrology, and Electromechanical Devices.

Food, health, industry, the environment, and several governmental and academic entities and
institutions benefit from the laboratory's tests, which are based on an integrated technological system

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