Ahead of Hajj WHO Advises Saudis

The UN health agency was advising Saudi Arabia ahead of the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage and knew no more cases in the Gulf of a mystery illness from the same virus family as the deadly SARS.

"WHO is working closely with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as in previous years, to support the country's health measures for all visitors participating in the hajj pilgrimage to Mecca next month," the World Health Organization said in a statement.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
SARS is a viral respiratory disease caused by SARS-associated coronavirus.

The Geneva-based agency earlier confirmed that the illness was in the coronavirus family and had caused the death of a Saudi national.

It has also left a Qatari man seriously ill in a London hospital after he was transferred there from Doha earlier this month, the WHO said, adding that he had previously been in Saudi Arabia.

The two cases occurred three months apart in June and September, said the WHO, stressing that the illness is not Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome which swept out of China in 2003, killing more than 800 people worldwide.

Five People Isolated in Danish Hospital Following Respiratory Illness With SARS-Like Symptoms
A Danish hospital revealed that it has isolated five people who displayed symptoms of a new viral respiratory illness.

What sets the new virus apart from SARS, the agency added, is that it causes rapid kidney failure.

Meanwhile, pilgrims have already begun to arrive in the Saudi kingdom for the ritual that represents the world's largest annual gathering.

Mystery Behind Similar Deadly SARS Virus
After contracting an infection similar to the deadly SARS virus, a Qatari man is critically ill in a London hospital reported World Health Organisation.

Last year, nearly three million Muslim pilgrims performed the Hajj, which represents one of the five pillars of Islam and must be performed at least once in a lifetime by all Muslims who are able to do so.

Saudi health authorities have downplayed the chances of an outbreak of the mystery illness, adding that there were no changes on travel conditions for pilgrims.

Smoking as Deadly as SARS in China, Declares WHO
China's widespread smoking addicition should be dealt with the same intensity as SARS, declared the region's head of the World Health Organization.

Meanwhile a Danish hospital said Wednesday it had isolated five people with symptoms of a viral respiratory illness pending the result of tests.

Odense University hospital said those admitted were a family of four where the father had been to Saudi Arabia, and an unrelated person who had been to Qatar.

Two of the patients were children under five.

SARS swept out of China in 2003, killing more than 800 people worldwide.

Source-AFP