RIYADH: Umrah and Haj visas will not be issued to pilgrims from Liberia and Guinea due to the prevalence of Ebola hemorrhagic fever in the two African countries.
“Liberia and Guinea have been affected with this deadly virus, which has claimed several lives,” said one official from the Ministry of Health.
“The World Health Organization (WHO), however, has not issued any travel advisory against these two countries,” he said
The outbreak of the viral hemorrhagic fever, which erupted in the West African country of Guinea, has claimed the lives of 59 people so far, with several others having fallen gravely ill. This type of fever is caused by the Ebola virus.
The outbreak of the viral hemorrhagic fever, which erupted in the West African country of Guinea, has claimed the lives of 59 people so far, with several others having fallen gravely ill. This type of fever is caused by the Ebola virus.
The Liberian Minister of Health, Dr. Walter Gwenigale, announced on Tuesday that the deadly Ebola virus has been confirmed in Liberia.
Ebola is a severe and often fatal disease that affects and kills up to 90 percent of its victims. The virus manifests in five different types, four of which can lead to disease outbreaks among humans. The virus is passed onto humans through close contact with animals carriers of the virus, including fruit bats, monkeys, gorillas and chimpanzees.
While there is no cure for Ebola, there is medication available to help fight the virus. Patients are often hospitalized and require intensive care both to save their lives and to prevent the spread of the deadly disease.