ABU DHABI // A surge in the number of Mers cases in Saudi Arabia is a reminder for Haj pilgrims to follow simple hygiene procedures, health experts said.
According to the World Health Organisation, 90 Mers cases were reported in Saudi Arabia last month, which resulted in 11 deaths. In July, there were 14 reported new cases and one death.
Up to 3 million pilgrims are expected to visit Mecca and Medina for Haj, which takes place between September 21 and 26, with about 5,000 from the UAE registering to travel.
Dr Issam Badaoui, medical director at International SOS, a company of experts in global health issues, said: “This year we are advising members to take extra precautions.
“The ministry of health in Saudi Arabia has urged vulnerable groups to postpone their Haj this year, including individuals with chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, immune deficiency, kidney disease and the terminally ill, pregnant women and those aged over 65 or under 12.”
Dr Badaoui said that in the case that people from the vulnerable groups decided to travel, they should take extra precautions.
The doctor’s advice to travellers is to avoid busy emergency rooms at hospitals unless absolutely necessary. If they are ill, they should seek medical attention at a doctor’s clinic, where they can avoid long waits.
Dr Badaoui said that compared with previous years, health authorities have a much better understanding of Mers. “We have seen cases where infected patients have been treated without complications. We would say the situation this year is comparable to last year,” he said.
Dr Fatma Al Attar, head of international health regulation at the UAE Ministry of Health, said pilgrims were at no greater risk of contracting Mers than in previous years. “Outbreaks come and go. There were some last year and before that,” she said.
She said those who were classed as vulnerable to the disease should not go on Haj but “we can’t force them. We give them all the advice and then they have to take the decision.”
Dr Mohammed Rafique, a specialist in respiratory medicine at Prime Hospital in Dubai, worked with Mers patients at the time of the initial outbreak in Al Ain Hospital, three years ago. Back then, he said, no one knew much about Mers “but now we have a fairly good idea”.
“Most of us have a healthy immune system and it just passes as a cold or a fever,” he said.
“The problem arises with people who are elderly or those who have a chronic disease or renal problem. They have a high morbidity and mortality.” He also recommended that the sick and vulnerable should avoid Haj.
International SOS’s precautions for pilgrims include maintaining personal hygiene, washing hands often with soap and water, keeping away from people who are coughing, sneezing or appear to be sick, avoiding contact with camels or their bodily fluids, ensuring meat is well cooked and not eating unpasteurised dairy products.
The WHO has been working with health ministries in the region to implement a Mers campaign so pilgrims can understand the disease, said communications officer Rana Sidani.
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