By TCN News
London: Health experts from the Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK (ABH), a UK-based Hajj/Umrah specific organisation, have issued a stern warning to travelers to Saudi Arabia, including the Hajj/Umrah pilgrims, to take the threat of Coronavirus seriously and ensure taking preventive measures against the life-threatening infectious disease. This deadly and lethal disease, which is rapidly spreading in Saudi Arabia and around the world, has already claimed more than 100 lives in Saudi Arabia and has become a global health concern.
While commending the desperate efforts taken by the Saudi authorities to combat this serious threat, ABH strongly urged all the relevant countries to take their responsibilities under the International Health Regulations 2005 seriously which requires that they respond rapidly to unexpected, internationally-spreading events and contain specific public health threats, such as the Coronavirus.
The Wold Heath Organisation (WHO) has also stressed that it is important for countries to use all practical and effective means possible to communicate information on a range of issues before, during and after Hajj/Umrah to perspective pilgrims, particularly the vulnerable groups within this population.
Health experts reminded that the common symptoms of Coronavirus include acute, serious respiratory illness with fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties. Most patients have also pneumonia and diarrhoea. They strongly urged the travelers, including pilgrims, to Saudi Arabia to take preventive measures and follow the basic principles of personal hygiene to safeguard their health and safety.
There is a desperate need for a joint effort by the international community for combating the serious threat of the spread of the lethal and deadly Coronavirus in order to avoid any future loss of innocent human lives,” said the health experts in their joint statement.