Gwangmyeong City Issues 'MERS and Meningococcal Alert' Ahead of Hajj... Urges Compliance with Prevention Guidelines

Gwangmyeong City Issues Infectious Disease Prevention Guidelines
for Travelers to the Middle East

Gwangmyeong City in Gyeonggi Province has urged residents to comply with prevention guidelines for infectious diseases imported from overseas.

Gwangmyeong City urged compliance with preventive measures against imported infectious diseases. Photo by Gwangmyeong City

On April 22, the city announced that, with an increase in the number of visitors to Saudi Arabia expected ahead of the Hajj pilgrimage period, extra attention to personal hygiene is necessary to prevent infectious diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and meningococcal infections.

The Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) is a large-scale event that attracts millions of participants each year. As crowds from various countries gather, the risk of spreading respiratory infectious diseases and meningococcal infections increases. In particular, with ongoing occurrences of MERS in the Middle East, thorough preventive measures are essential.

The city emphasized the importance of following prevention guidelines at each stage—before, during, and after travel—for those planning to visit the Middle East and for returning residents.

Before departure, travelers are advised to complete recommended vaccinations such as the meningococcal vaccine. Those with underlying health conditions should consult with medical professionals before deciding to travel.

During travel, individuals should strictly follow personal hygiene practices, including frequent hand washing, proper cough etiquette, and wearing masks. Contact with camels and consumption of raw camel milk should be avoided. It is also recommended to avoid contact with individuals showing symptoms such as fever or respiratory issues.

If symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath appear within 14 days after returning to Korea, individuals should first consult with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency call center or the Gwangmyeong City Health Center before visiting a medical facility. When visiting a medical institution, it is essential to inform them of any recent overseas travel history.

Choi Hyemin, Acting Mayor (Vice Mayor) of Gwangmyeong City, stated, "As overseas travel increases, it is important to practice preventive measures in daily life. I urge residents visiting the Middle East to strictly adhere to hygiene guidelines to protect their own health."

The city plans to continuously monitor the situation regarding infectious diseases and maintain its response efforts to ensure the safety of its citizens.

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