An unwelcome guest, the coronavirus, risks jeopardizing the pilgrimage to Mecca of many Muslim believers due to the increased risk of contamination.
Saudi Arabia remains the main country affected by the coronavirus also called MERS-CoV (Middle East respiratory syndrome). Of the 45 deaths attributed to the virus recorded to date by the World Health Organization in the world, 38 concern Saudi Arabia.
This is the reason why the Saudi authorities have just advised older people and those with chronic illnesses (diabetes, respiratory problems, etc.) not to make the pilgrimage to Mecca this year. This recommendation also applies to pregnant women and children who are planning to make the trip to Mecca in October.
These “special preventive measures for the MERS coronavirus” aim to limit the spread of the virus but also to prevent the virus from mutating as in the case of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) which killed 800 people in 2003.
For the moment, no travel restrictions have been requested by the WHO, which recommends that health authorities follow with the greatest attention any case of person suffering from respiratory disorders, one of the symptoms of this virus.
