A physician at the University of Ghana Hospital, Dr. Abdul-Rahaman Al-Hassan, has counseled travelers planning to take part in the Hajj and Umrah in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, to strengthen their immune systems prior to departure.
He recommends consuming vitamin C-rich foods, maintaining stable chronic conditions, adhering to routine medication, and ensuring proper hydration.
Dr. Al-Hassan emphasizes the importance of personal hygiene, cough etiquette, and avoiding cold drinks to prevent the spread of the “Hajj cough.”
This cough is commonly experienced by pilgrims due to the crowded conditions during the pilgrimage, which saw over two million people from around the world this year after COVID-19-related restrictions.
Medical brigades and country-level medical teams were deployed by Saudi authorities to address common ailments among pilgrims in hotels and camps.
Dr. Al-Hassan also notes that pilgrims are at risk of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and the coughs experienced may be symptoms of the disease.
“It is among the symptoms of MERS, especially at crowded place with poor ventilation.This worsens the symptoms of irritable cough and irritative sore-throat.
This is zoonotic infection transmissible from animal (camel) to people,” he said.
Dr. Al-Hassan highlighted that, similar to the coronavirus family, the transmission of diseases during Hajj and Umrah occurs through respiratory droplets.
“So individuals with MERS who sneeze and cough without appropriate etiquette, put others at risk.
“While some maybe asymptomatic, others may show mild to moderate symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath. This can be complicated by pneumonia and gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhoea,” Dr Al-Hassan said.