The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) say infectious diseases can spread in large gatherings and pilgrims should remember the possibility of rarer, but serious, diseases such as MERS-CoV and meningitis and ensure they are vaccinated. MERS-CoV MERS-CoV is a respiratory virus that spreads from animals, especially camels, to humans. It can also spread from person-to-person.
The virus causes fever, coughing, and breathing difficulties. Although UK residents travelling to the Middle East are at low risk, travellers are advised to avoid consuming raw or undercooked animal products and refrain from contact with camels and animal wastes. Pilgrims should also practise good hygiene washing their hands regularly with soap and water, particularly after exposure to farms, barns, and market areas, to minimise the risk of MERS-CoV as well as other infections.
Advertisement Advertisement Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to Burnley Express, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you. This Preston prayer centre is looking to extend its hours and capacity Meningitis Due to previous meningitis outbreaks in Saudi Arabia, UKHSA is also advising pilgrims of the dangers of this disease. Meningococcal disease is rare but very serious and requires urgent hospital treatment.
It is caused by meningococcal bacteria which can cause meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain) and septicaemia (when the bacter.