WHO spread of Mers on pilgrimage?

Spread of Mers on pilgrimage

06/18/2014

The World Health Organization (WHO) is concerned about the Muslim pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia in the fall. Provision should be made to prevent the spread of the dangerous Mers virus. However, a global health emergency does not exist because of the disease.

Millions of Muslims are making a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia

Millions of Muslims from all over the world will travel to the holy sites in Mecca and Medina in the fall for the great pilgrimage Hajj to Saudi Arabia. The World Health Organization (WHO) is concerned about this. As the organization announced on Tuesday after a crisis meeting in Geneva, precautions should be taken to prevent the spread of the dangerous Mers virus. „Pilgrims, especially those with medical problems, should be made aware of the danger“, said WHO influenza researcher Keiji Fukuda. „The time to take precautions is now.“ The small pilgrimage Umra, which many believers perform during the month of fasting Ramadan, which begins in late June, is imminent and in a few months the hajj will start.

Many questions left

Related to the Mers virus, however, many questions remain open. Among other things, the transmission path is still a mystery. „The big questions are: Can the virus change and easily become transmissible from person to person?“, said Fukuda. „We still can not estimate that.“ According to studies, the virus is transmitted by camels directly to humans. It is also believed that bats play a role in transmission. However, there are so far no clear evidence. According to official figures, more than 280 people have died of Mers in Saudi Arabia, where many camels are bred. According to the WHO, there are now more than 700 cases of illness worldwide in 22 countries, including Europe and the US.

Mers especially in the Middle East

The Coronavirus Mers (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) was first identified in September 2012 in patients with severe respiratory infection. It is similar to the Sars virus and can cause flu-like symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath and coughing, but it can also lead to severe pneumonia. In addition, Mers unlike Sars can lead to kidney failure. In general, the new pathogen, while less infectious, is more likely to kill than many other infectious diseases. The new virus is mainly found in the Middle East, with a focus on Saudi Arabia.

No global health emergency

However, apart from the upcoming pilgrimage, WHO gives the all-clear. The experts do not expect that the coronavirus leads to a pandemic. Although the situation was further „serious“, but it was not necessary to declare a global health emergency because of the disease. The explanatory statement states that there is still no evidence that the virus is transmitted sustainably from person to person. In addition, the number of sufferers since April is no longer so fast. However, when traveling to affected countries, experts recommend taking basic precautions, such as keeping distance from people with acute respiratory infections, and avoiding animal contact. Also hygiene measures such as regular hand washing and the waiver of camel products are recommended. (Ad)