Follow Saudi guidelines to avoid MERS virus, haj pilgrims told

Malaysian haj pilgrims, especially the elderly, are urged to follow health guidelines issued by the Saudi Arabian government to stay healthy and prevent the spread of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus (MERS-CoV).

Tabung Haji group managing director and CEO Datuk Ismee Ismail said Tabung Haji itself will check on the health of Malaysian pilgrims to ensure that they are fit enough for the haj. To that end, pilgrims have to go through a medical examination as prescribed by the Saudi Arabian government.

"This haj season millions of people from various countries will come here and we don't know what (disease) they carry," he told reporters in Medina today.

He said although the Saudi Arabian guidelines were for all countries, implementation was dependent on the countries concerned.

“It is good to have precautionary measures especially with MERS around."

The virus has claimed 33 lives in Saudi Arabia since last September.

Some of the symptoms of infection are high fever, difficulty in breathing, diarrhoea and vomiting. No MERS case has been reported in Malaysia. – Bernama