Public Health England (PHE) has issued an advisory for Hajj pilgrims to remain aware of the risk for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in the Middle East.
Hajj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), will happen between 19 and 24 August this year, and several pilgrims from the UK are expected to visit. The Umrah is a shorter pilgrimage to Mecca that can be performed any time of the year.
The risk for MERS-CoV infection to UK residents travelling to the Middle East remains very low, with only five cases of MERS CoV reported in the UK since 2012. PHE, the National Travel Health Network and Centre and the World Health Organization have not issued any travel restrictions to KSA with respect to MERS-CoV. However, >150 cases have been reported across KSA since January 2019, primarily among residents. There is mounting evidence of transmission through contact with camels, as well as close person-to-person contact.
Pilgrims returning from Hajj and Umrah should be advised by healthcare practitioners to remain vigilant of symptoms including fever, coughing, dyspnoea or difficulty breathing. If such symptoms are evident within 14 days of leaving the Middle East, they should promptly contact their GP or NHS 111. Dr Gavin Dabrera, lead for MERS-CoV at PHE, said: "We strongly advise travellers to avoid contact with camels and consumption of camel products in the Middle East and to practise good hand hygiene."
