Hajj pilgrims to mask due to MERS scare

Health officials and the authorities in Saudi have produced a list of requirements asking all pilgrims to wear masks when in crowded places while at the holy sites. The list further indicates that the elderly and/or those with chronic diseases should postpone their pilgrimage. This comes after thirty-eight people were reported to have died from the virus in Saudi Arabia.

Millions of Muslim believers from around the world are expected to take part in the Hajj this October. Once every year, pilgrims make pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia and pray together before the Kaaba to fulfill one of their pillars of faith. The faithful also travel to Saudi at other times, to visit Masjid Al-Nabawi, the Mosque of the Prophet Mohammed, in Medina. Two particular sites namely; Kaaba and Mina are usually the most crowded and some faithfuls think that if one visits Mecca but fails to move around Kaaba or stone the devil at Mina, their pilgrimage is futile.

Folks expecting to take part have been advised to have the necessary vaccinations and maintain personal hygiene standards such as using a tissue or napkins whenever one sneezes. .

The Saudi borne MERS (Middle East respiratory-syndrome) corona virus is part of a large family of viruses, including Sars. It was discovered in the Arabian Peninsula in September 2012. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), MERS a novel corona-virus can be passed between people in close contact.

A total of 80 cases of infection and 44 deaths have been confirmed worldwide according to the World Health Organization. 

Corona viruses are known to cause respiratory infections in humans and animals. Patients have present with fever, cough and breathing difficulties.

It causes pneumonia and, sometimes, kidney failure. There is a colossal predisposition among older men, often with other medical conditions. Experts however say that there is no explanation for such a pattern and say they are not sure if it will change over time. It is also unclear how often people might develop mild disease.

The disease is likely to be spread through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

The disease has no specific cure, nor any vaccine, but people with severe symptoms will need intensive medical care to help them breath. There is no vaccine to prevent.