The Ministry of Health urged prospective Hajj pilgrims to be careful about Middle East respiratory syndrome corona virus (MERS-CoV) infection by implementing a clean and healthy lifestyle while conducting their activities in Saudi Arabia.
“While MERS-CoV has not become a health emergency, Indonesian Hajj pilgrims still need to be careful about their infection,” Health Ministry Secretary General Kunta Wibawa Dasa Nugraha said here on Friday.
MERS-CoV originated in the Middle East, and is the derivative of the corona virus that can cause respiratory illness and death.
To this day, there is no specific vaccine that can prevent MERS-CoV infection.
MERS-CoV disease infects through droplets during direct contact with patients.
“Hajj pilgrims are expected to diligently wash their hands with soap and running water or with disinfectant,” he noted.
“In addition, it is also important to wear masks while carrying out activities, especially in crowds, and to cover your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing,” he said.
Also, if Hajj pilgrims encounter health problems, they should immediately consult with nearby health workers.
“We hope that the Hajj pilgrims will continue to carry out health protocols, maintain the proper condition of their bodies with adequate rest and the consumption of nutritious food. If the body is healthy, then the Hajj will be calm,” he commented.
Also, Hajj pilgrims should be careful about COVID-19. While it is no longer a global health emergency, new cases of COVID-19 are still emerging to this day.
“Because of this, Hajj pilgrims are implored to complete the vaccination against COVID-19. The full dose of vaccination is very important to break the chain of infection, ”he remarked.
https://en.antaranews.com/news/281433/prospective-hajj-pilgrims-should-be-wary-of-mers-cov-ministry
Category: Indonesia
