BKK: JCH Babel Avoid Camels to Prevent MERS-CoV Virus

Pangkalpinang (ANTARA) - The Class II Pangkalpinang Health Quarantine Centre (BKK) in the Bangka Belitung Islands Province has requested prospective Hajj pilgrims (JCH) to avoid direct contact with camels in order to prevent the transmission of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) virus. “MERS-CoV in Saudi Arabia is a serious respiratory disease that is one of the ways transmitted by camels,” said the Head of Class II Pangkalpinang BKK, Agus Syah, in Pangkalpinang on Saturday. The agency has provided meningitis, polio, and COVID-19 vaccines to all prospective Hajj pilgrims from the Bangka Belitung Islands Province to enhance their immunity against these dangerous viruses while performing the Hajj pilgrimage series in the Holy Land of Mecca. “Currently, the COVID-19 virus continues to mutate into MERS-CoV, so all Hajj pilgrims must receive this COVID-19 vaccine,” he said. “We hope that the Hajj pilgrims do not visit camel farming areas to avoid contracting the dangerous virus that can cause death,” he added. He urged prospective Hajj pilgrims to always maintain their health, practise clean and healthy living behaviours, and take vitamins to boost their body’s resistance against various disease viruses during the Hajj pilgrimage. “Upon the return of the Hajj pilgrims, we will conduct health checks on the pilgrims again to ensure their health is in good condition and they have not contracted various dangerous disease viruses during the Hajj pilgrimage series in the Holy Land of Mecca,” he said.