KDCA Warns of 'MERS' Risk When Visiting Saudi Arabia During Islamic Pilgrimage Period

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced on the 14th that it expects an increase in visitors to Saudi Arabia during the Islamic pilgrimage period of Hajj (June 26 to July 1) and urged travelers to be cautious of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) infection. The Islamic pilgrimage had restricted participation for three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic starting in 2020, but this year, it is expected that 2 to 3 million people will attend, similar to pre-pandemic levels.

Exterior view of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. [Photo by Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency]

KDCA emphasized that visitors to Saudi Arabia should complete the recommended vaccinations (such as meningococcal meningitis) before departure and adhere to personal hygiene practices such as hand washing and wearing masks while in the area. In particular, since MERS is mainly transmitted through contact with camels or infected individuals, additional precautions are necessary, including avoiding contact with camels such as consuming raw camel milk or undercooked camel meat, riding camels, and refraining from visiting medical institutions unless for treatment purposes.

During the Islamic pilgrimage period, KDCA plans to collaborate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Korea, and the Hajj agency (Korea Islamic Foundation) to provide participants with preventive guidelines and strengthen quarantine measures upon entry, while encouraging early reporting for community detection.

Additionally, for arrivals from the Middle East, fever checks and health questionnaires or 'Q-code' screenings will be conducted at quarantine stations, and if symptomatic individuals are identified, tests will be administered. Travelers are urged to immediately inform quarantine officers if they have fever or respiratory symptoms upon arrival. During the 14 days after entry, four infection prevention alert text messages will be sent to encourage voluntary reporting, and medical institutions are urged to thoroughly investigate and promptly report respiratory symptomatic patients with a history of travel to the relevant regions.

Meanwhile, there have been no reported cases of MERS in Korea since one case in 2018. KDCA stated, "Since MERS cases continue to be reported in the Middle East, we will strive for early detection and prevention of community transmission through meticulous monitoring."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.