About Careers Internship MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Advertisement

Saudi Arabia Hoping for a MERS-Free Hajj

by Kathy Jones on September 22, 2013 at 9:01 PM
Font : A-A+

 Saudi Arabia Hoping for a MERS-Free Hajj

The Saudi health minister has said that authorities are optimistic that October's hajj pilgrimage to the kingdom will pass without outbreaks of the deadly MERS coronavirus.

The virus, which appeared first in the kingdom last year, has killed 58 people worldwide, 49 of them in Saudi Arabia, according to official Saudi figures and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Advertisement

But "we are optimistic we can achieve yet another success as the hajj pilgrimage season nears" after the minor pilgrimage season during the fasting month of Ramadan "succeeded despite health challenges such as the coronavirus," said Abdullah al-Rabia.

No MERS outbreaks were recorded at last year's hajj, nor during the Umrah season in July and August of this year.

Saudi Arabia has "longstanding experience" dealing with health challenges brought by the large numbers of people who come to the kingdom -- home to Islam's holiest sites.
Advertisement

Around two million people are expected at this year's hajj, which begins on October 13 and lasts five days.

Authorities have urged the elderly and chronically ill to avoid the event and have reduced the number of people they will allow to perform come.

The WHO said on Thursday it had been informed of 132 lab-confirmed cases of MERS, including the deaths.

With the exception of a cluster of cases in the eastern town of Al-Ihsa, the focal point of the outbreak has been the capital, scientists said Friday in an online report published on The Lancet.

Experts are struggling to understand MERS, for which there is still no vaccine.

It is considered a cousin of the SARS virus that erupted in Asia in 2003 and infected 8,273 people, nine percent of whom died.

Like SARS, MERS is thought to have jumped from animals to humans, and it shares the former's flu-like symptoms -- but differs by also causing kidney failure.

Source: AFP
Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Latest Coronavirus News

Long COVID is Not a Singular Condition, but a Range of Conditions, Says Study
The recent study has uncovered that Long COVID is not a single condition, but instead comprises a variety of distinct conditions.
At-least 1 in 6 Unvaccinated People Gets Sick After 2 Years of Covid
: Even after two years of being infected, one in every six unvaccinated individuals continues to experience health issues associated with Covid-19.
COVID-19: The Effect on Married Couples' Social Lives
A recent study has shown that COVID-19 has caused disturbances in relationships because of limited social gatherings.
Unspoken Loneliness and the Escalating Emotional Toll on Emergency Medicine Doctors
Throughout the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, emergency medicine doctors consistently used social media to express feelings of loneliness and depression.
Future Viruses Could be Deadlier Than Covid-19: WHO
The WHO has issued a warning to nations globally, urging them to undertake necessary preparations for an impending pandemic that could be even deadlier than the coronavirus.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

Saudi Arabia Hoping for a MERS-Free Hajj Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests