(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Health authorities in the UAE are asking the elderly and those with underlying chronic health conditions to avoid Haj this year because of the threat of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (Mers-CoV) that has claimed 50 lives out of 108 confirmed cases worldwide.
Though the World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued no travel restrictions, the UAE health ministry will raise awareness on the issue in a campaign that will be launched soon. The Dubai Health Authority is also about to launch a Haj awareness campaign next week.
"This year we are trying to warn people who are too old and those who have chronic conditions to avoid Haj because they are at greater risk of contracting the virus," said Dr Ashraf Mahmoud El Houfi, Chairman of the Infection Control Committee UAE.
"We know people are afraid and we think it is better for them to avoid travel," he added.
Till date, majority of the positive cases (84) and deaths (44) have been reported from Saudi Arabia where millions of Muslims will converge for the annual Haj on October 14.
"At the moment, for those travelling, we are stressing for regular precautions such as maintaining hygiene and avoiding people with symptoms of cough and cold," added Dr El Houfi. As per the law, Haj travellers from the UAE have medical staff accompanying them who ensure that all necessary precautions are being taken by the pilgrims.
Under current health protocols, authorities are screening suspected cases only.
The DHA will hold a twitter clinic and roll out the campaign across all 14 of its primary healthcare centres. Other government entities such as Dubai Customs, Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing as well as Dubai Diabetes Centres and Hatta Hospital will take part in the campaign.
Dr Fatima Al Attar, Head of Preventive services at the DHA said that because of the risk of certain respiratory diseases, the Saudi health ministry has recommended that the following groups should postpone their plans for Haj and Umrah this year: people over 65 years old, children under 12 years old, pregnant women, people with cancer or terminal illnesses, people with chronic diseases (such as heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, or respiratory disease.)
The identified symptoms of Mers include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath and muscle pain, gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhoea and vomiting and can also lead to organ failure.
On Sunday, US doctors said a combination of two anti-viral drugs was an option for treating Mers respiratory disease after the therapy was found to work on lab monkeys.
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