Pinoy pilgrims urged to postpone Hajj, Umrah trips due to MERS-CoV risk

Citing the risk of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection, the Department of Health on Thursday advised Filipinos planning to go to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj or Umrah pilgrimages to postpone their trips.

DOH Secretary Enrique Ona directed the advice to those most vulnerable such as those 60 years old and up, pregnant women, children below five years old, and those with diabetes, kidney disease, chronic lung disease, and weak immunity.

“Filipino pilgrims to Mecca are advised to consult a doctor before traveling to review the risk and assess whether making the pilgrimage is advisable,” he added.

For this year, Hajj—the fifth pillar of Islam and the most significant manifestation of Islamic faith and unity—is expected to fall between October 2 to 7.

Umrah, which the DOH said is sometimes referred to as the “lesser pilgrimage,” is a visit to the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, outside of the designated Hajj pilgrimage dates.

Delay trips

The DOH said "high-risk" groups should delay their trips to the Arabian Peninsula, saying the World Health Organization has noted 699 laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with MERS-CoV, including at least 209 deaths.

Of these, 63.5 percent of cases are male and the ages ranged from 9 months to 94 years old.

Citing data from WHO, the DOH said the affected countries in the Arabian Peninsula include Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia (KSA), United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Yemen.

Tips

The DOH also posted a health advisory for pilgrims advising them to observe proper hand hygiene and to cover their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing.

It also advised them to keep a distance of at least one meter from people with acute ferbile respiratory symptoms, and to avoid eating undercooked meat or food prepared under unsanitary conditions.

During Umrah or Hajj, travelers were advised to report to the medical staff accompanying the group or to the local health services, and to avoid crowded areas.

"Avoid close contact with camels, visiting farms and consuming unpasteurized camel milk, urine, or improperly cooked meat," it said.

Meanwhile, pilgrims who experience significant acute respiratory illness with fever and cough within two weeks after returning from their trip should seek medical attention and inform medical authorities of their travel.

They should also minimize contact with others and cooperate with health authorities.

Also, the DOH advised them to contact its hotline at 711-1001 to 02. —Joel Locsin/KBK, GMA News