By Ghanizada - Fri Jun 06 2014, 10:35 pm
The
Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus threatens thousands
of Afghan pilgrims who are due to visit Saudi Arabia for Hajj
pilgrimage.
According to the Ministry of Hajj and
Religious Affairs of Afghanistan, around 24,000 Afghans will visit Saudi
Arabia for Hajj pilgrimage this year.
However, the Afghan pilgrims are
concerned regarding the outspread of Middle East respiratory syndrome
(MERS) coronavirus since they have not received any information from the
ministry in this regard so far.
In the meantime, Qazir Faiz Mohammad
Mukhtar, head of Hajj and Pilgrimage directorate in the Ministry of Hajj
and Islamic Affairs of Afghanistan said they have taken necessary steps
to provide better facilities for Afghan pilgrims and the minister
himself has visited Saudi Arabia to meet the Saudi officials in this
regard.
Mr. Mukhtar further added that they have
not received any information from the ministry of public health
regarding the issue of MERS coronavirus and they will take necessary
steps for the safety of pilgrims if such information is received from
public health ministry and Saudi Arabia.
He said the ministry of public health of
Afghanistan should provide information regarding the MERS coronavirus
to the pilgrims and provide vaccination.
In the meantime, public health ministry
officials are saying that information are provided regarding exceptional
cases like MERS coronavirus to pilgrims besides provide vaccination on
three different illness including polio, Meningitis and seasonal flu.
But the Afghan pilgrims are saying that they have not received such information from the authorities so far.
MERS is a strain of coronavirus, the
same type of virus that causes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome whose
symptoms include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
Gastrointestinal problems, renal failure and pneumonia has also been
noted in some patients. http://www.khaama.com/mers-coronavirus-threatens-thousands-of-afghan-pilgrims-6191
