Health experts from a UK-based Hajj group have issued a stern warning to pilgrims, asking them to take the threat of Coronavirus seriously and ensure preventive measures against it during their stay in Saudi Arabia.

Experts from the Association of British Hujjaj (ABH), a national Hajj/Umrah specific organisation, warned the travellers to take preventive measures and follow basic principles of personal hygiene to safeguard their health.

The deadly disease, which is rapidly spreading in Saudi Arabia and around the world, has already claimed more than 100 lives in Saudi Arabia and has become a global health concern.

While praising the efforts taken by the Saudi authorities to combat this threat, ABH strongly urged all the relevant countries to take their responsibilities under the International Health Regulations 2005 seriously which requires that they respond rapidly to unexpected, internationally-spreading events and contain specific public health threats.

The World Heath Organisation has also stressed that it is important for countries to use all practical and effective means possible to communicate information on a range of issues before, during and after Hajj/Umrah to perspective pilgrims, particularly the vulnerable groups within this population.

The common symptoms of Coronavirus include acute, serious respiratory illness with fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties.