By Loubna Flah
Morocco World News
Casablanca, May 18, 2013
A Deadly respiratory virus may pose a serious threat to Pilgrims for the forthcoming Umrah season during the holy month Ramadan.
New viral contaminations with the Coronavirus were recorded in many countries around the world. The Coronavirus has already killed 20 people, including 15 death cases recorded in Saudi Arabia.
The propagation of the virus is likely to pose a public health problem for the Saudi authorities especially during the Umrah season this Ramadan.
According to the CBC news, the Saudi authorities mobilized substantial resources to help track this deadly virus that appears to be centered in the Saudi kingdom.
A medical source closed to the Moroccan daily Al Massae said that the virus may not stand till the next Umrah season and that the Ministry of Health and the ministry of Habous and Islamic affairs will undertake all measures to curb the likelihood of viral infections among Moroccan pilgrims in the absence of vaccination against the virus.
As a precautionary measure, the pilgrims who suffer from chronic respiratory diseases or a deficiency in their immunity system are required to follow strict hygiene practices, including washing hands frequently and wearing masks while performing the Umrah rituals.
Sources close to Morocco Pasteur Institute revealed that more that 34 viral infections were recorded worldwide with the highest number of cases affecting the Saudi Kingdom. The same source asserted that no single infection was recorded in Morocco.
The World Health Organization defines the Coronaviruses as a large family of viruses that may cause a range of illnesses in humans, from the common cold to SARS.
Coronaviruses primarily infect the upper respiratory and gastrointestinal track of mammals and birds. Four to five different currently known strains of Coronaviruses infect humans.
Most people infected with the novel Coronavirus develop severe acute respiratory illness with many symptoms namely fever, cough, and shortness of breath.