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Saudi bans visa issuing for citizens of Ebola-hit countries

Xinhua, July 6, 2015 Adjust font size:

Saudi Arabia will continue for the second year to ban visa-issuing for citizens of Ebola-hit countries such as Guinea and Sierra Leone for the next Hajj Season, Al Eqtisadiya online newspaper reported.

This was highlighted by the Health Ministry while announcing measures to ensure epidemic-free Hajj, while urging domestic and foreign pilgrims to take the compulsory vaccinations, especially in countries with contiguous diseases.

The ministry also requested elderly, individuals with chronic diseases, pregnant women, HIV patients and children below five to postpone performing Hajj this season as they are more prone to catch contagious diseases, as the country has been hit with the spreading of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) corona virus since 2012.

A total of 1045 MERS corona cases, including 460 deaths were reported in the country.

To prevent the spreading of MERS corona virus, the ministry urged pilgrims to follow certain preventative measures, especially personnel hygiene , keep away from camels and avoid consuming their uncooked milk or meat.

The Ministry highlighted that it works closely with the World Health Organization to monitor the spreading of contiguous diseases worldwide to issue special health vaccination guideline for each countries for safe Hajj season. Endit