DUBAI // United Nations health chiefs have launched a campaign to create awareness about the risk of infection as pilgrims prepare to travel to Mecca for Haj.
The contraction of Ebola or Mers are two diseases that has the World Health Organisation (WHO) particularly concerned as it has been working with several countries to detect any imported cases.
“Pilgrims are advised to consult a healthcare provider before travelling to review the risk and assess whether making the pilgrimage is advisable,” said Rana Sidani, senior communications officer with the organisation’s Egypt office.
“During Haj, where millions gather in a limited space, the spread of communicable diseases, such as pneumonia, diarrhoea and skin infections, is anticipated.”
Non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, heat exhaustion and heatstroke are also expected as pilgrims will walk long distances through or near dense traffic.
Ebola has killed 1,552 people and infected more than 3,000 in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Nigeria and Guinea.
In Saudi Arabia, since Mers was identified in 2012, there have been 725 cases of infection resulting in 302 deaths.
“The WHO is working with countries to make health-related advice available to all travellers departing for Umrah or Haj by working with the travel and tourism sectors and placing materials at strategic locations, such as travel agent offices or points of departure in airports,” Ms Sidani said. “Different kinds of communication, such as health alerts on board planes and ships, as well as banners and leaflets with information on diseases, will be made available at international points of entry.
“Travel advice will include current information on Mers and Ebola and guidance on how to avoid illness.”
The WHO is advising pilgrims to maintain good personal hygiene, hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene by covering mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing. Hands should be washed regularly.
Saudi Arabia said this week that, so far, it is free from Ebola.
The country’s acting health minister, Adel Faqeeh, said at a GCC meeting on Wednesday: “We have mobilised all financial, human and logistical resources to ensure that the pilgrimage season is free of epidemics.”
Bashir Moussa, 52, will make the pilgrimage, which is one of the five pillars of Islam, but is wary of the spread of diseases such as Mers – Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus – and Ebola, which has spread rapidly in West Africa.
“I have done an Umrah but this is the first time I go to Haj and I am a little concerned about the spread of diseases,” said the Lebanese.
“I understand that chances are higher during Haj because so many people are gathered closely together, but I would not let that stop me from going. I am capable, I am healthy and I am aware of how I should protect myself against infectious diseases.”
Mr Moussa used a mask and regularly washed his hands when doing Umrah.
“I washed my hands every time I get an opportunity to do so. I will again be taking masks with me.”
Saudi Arabia’s health ministry recommends that pilgrims wear face masks in crowded areas, especially when circling the Kaaba.
It also warned that stored food, even if cooked, should not be eaten if left unrefrigerated in a hotel room or bus for more than two hours.
“High temperatures may lead to the growing of bacteria, causing food poisoning,” the ministry said.
Ms Sidani warned against eating undercooked meat or food prepared in unsanitary conditions.
She said fruits and vegetables should be properly washed before eating.
On the Ebola threat, the WHO said it had developed a preparedness plan for the disease in the Middle East.
“Ebola is highly infectious,” she said. “It transmits through the contact with blood or body fluids of an infected person or an animal infected or by contact with contaminated objects.”
The organisation has issued a road map to scale up international response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
“The aim is to stop ongoing Ebola transmission worldwide within six to nine months, while rapidly managing the consequences of any further international spread,” it said, noting that nearly 40 per cent of the reported cases have occurred within the past three weeks.
The WHO is ensuring all countries have screening procedures at their points of entry, mainly airports, to detect any suspected cases with a probable travel link.
Common symptoms for Ebola are fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat, followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash and, in some cases, bleeding. For Mers, it is fever, coughing and difficulty breathing.
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Thursday’s fixtures
6pm: Hyderabad Nawabs v Pakhtoon Warriors
10pm: Lahore Sikandars v Pakhtoon Blasters
Teams
Chennai Knights, Lahore Sikandars, Pakhtoon Blasters, Abu Dhabi Stars, Abu Dhabi Dragons, Pakhtoon Warriors and Hyderabad Nawabs.
Squad rules
All teams consist of 15-player squads that include those contracted in the diamond (3), platinum (2) and gold (2) categories, plus eight free to sign team members.
Tournament rules
The matches are of 25 over-a-side with an 8-over power play in which only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams play in a single round robin league followed by the semi-finals and final. The league toppers will feature in the semi-final eliminator.
Buy farm-fresh food
The UAE is stepping up its game when it comes to platforms for local farms to show off and sell their produce.
In Dubai, visit Emirati Farmers Souq at The Pointe every Saturday from 8am to 2pm, which has produce from Al Ammar Farm, Omar Al Katri Farm, Hikarivege Vegetables, Rashed Farms and Al Khaleej Honey Trading, among others.
In Sharjah, the Aljada residential community will launch a new outdoor farmers’ market every Friday starting this weekend. Manbat will be held from 3pm to 8pm, and will host 30 farmers, local home-grown entrepreneurs and food stalls from the teams behind Badia Farms; Emirates Hydroponics Farms; Modern Organic Farm; Revolution Real; Astraea Farms; and Al Khaleej Food.
In Abu Dhabi, order farm produce from Food Crowd, an online grocery platform that supplies fresh and organic ingredients directly from farms such as Emirates Bio Farm, TFC, Armela Farms and mother company Al Dahra.
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
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Countries (1) - England (2016)
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More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
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Heavily-sugared soft drinks slip through the tax net
Some popular drinks with high levels of sugar and caffeine have slipped through the fizz drink tax loophole, as they are not carbonated or classed as an energy drink.
Arizona Iced Tea with lemon is one of those beverages, with one 240 millilitre serving offering up 23 grams of sugar - about six teaspoons.
A 680ml can of Arizona Iced Tea costs just Dh6.
Most sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, five teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml bottle.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
LIVING IN...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
if you go
The flights
Emirates have direct flights from Dubai to Glasgow from Dh3,115. Alternatively, if you want to see a bit of Edinburgh first, then you can fly there direct with Etihad from Abu Dhabi.
The hotel
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Located in the heart of Mackintosh's Glasgow, the Dakota Deluxe is perhaps the most refined hotel anywhere in the city. Doubles from Dh850
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Events and tours
There are various Mackintosh specific events throughout 2018 – for more details and to see a map of his surviving designs see glasgowmackintosh.com
For walking tours focussing on the Glasgow Style, see the website of the Glasgow School of Art.
More information
For ideas on planning a trip to Scotland, visit www.visitscotland.com
Zayed Sustainability Prize
SERIE A FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
Roma v Udinese (5pm)
SPAL v Napoli (8pm)
Juventus v Torino (10.45pm)
Sunday
Sampdoria v AC Milan (2.30pm)
Inter Milan v Genoa (5pm)
Crotone v Benevento (5pm)
Verona v Lazio (5pm)
Cagliari v Chievo (5pm)
Sassuolo v Bologna (8pm)
Fiorentina v Atalanta (10.45pm)
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