Coronavirus rampant due to camels: WHO

DAMMAM: The World Health Organization (WHO) has attributed the lack of control over the MERS coronavirus in the Kingdom, compared to South Korea which got rid of the disease completely within two months, to camels.
Christian Ndmir, WHO spokesman, said: “In the Kingdom, camel is the animal source that causes coronavirus outbreak, although the virus is transmitted by infected persons who are often in health care facilities, such as hospitals and medical clinics.”
In contrast, there was one source for the disease outbreak in South Korea, represented in an infected individual returning from the Middle East with coronavirus, therefore, it was somehow easier to break the chain of transmission there, Ndmir said.
On the WHO plan for Umrah and Haj seasons, Ndmir said: “There will be coordination with the Ministry of Health, as has been over several years, to strengthen oversight and ensure that pilgrims from other countries be notified in advance of the best ways to protect themselves from infection.”
Generally, the WHO urges all pilgrims to pay special attention on personal hygiene, following the health prevention procedures. Moreover, travelers should head immediately to the medical staff if they develop a significant acute respiratory illness with fever and cough severe enough to interfere with usual daily activities.