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.
dmoukhallati@thenational.ae
