The Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK a National Hajj/Umrah specific organization has expressed it’s deep concerns about the risk of a new Sars-like virus known as the ‘Coronavirus’ that is posing a potential threat to Hajj/Umrah pilgrims.
Although this deadly Coronavirus which causes Pneumonia and kidney failure may occur due to contact with animals, the Health officials in UK believe that this respiratory illness has the ability to spread from person to person which is a great cause for concern. After returning from the performance of Umrah, a person is fighting for his life in a UK hospital after having contracted an infection from this virus. This incident raised an alarm when his son also caught the infection from him which shows evidence that the virus can spread from person to person. He is also receiving treatment in an isolation room at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. This is the third case detected in the UK.
The exact source of this deadly virus and how it is spread is unknown however, the most common theory is that it comes from animals and is closely related to a virus in bats.
Health experts from the Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK have warned the pilgrims, specifically those who are suffering from chronic diseases that the communicable diseases can be transmitted through direct person-to-person contact with droplets of nasal or throat secretions of infected individuals. Close and prolonged contact (e.g. sneezing and coughing on someone or sharing an affected person’s used utensil) facilitates the spread of infection.
Pilgrims are strongly urged that the health risks are preventable and they should take all precautionary measures including getting the required vaccinations prior to leaving for the pilgrimage. http://www.go-makkah.com/english/news/001380/hajj-umrah-pilgrims-are-warned-of-new-deadly-sars-like-coronavirus.html?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed
