The shadow of novel Coronavirus is likely to haunt the annual Haj season, which begins in two weeks. India sends the third largest contingent of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia with about 1.70 lakh Indians performing Haj. The novel Coronavirus, detected early this week in two Arab nationals, has already claimed one life. The other patient is under treatment in London. The World Health Organisa-tion has suggested precautions during the Haj season, but felt a travel advisory is not necessary at this stage.
During Haj, nearly three million people come together rubbing shoulders and performing prayers. Any disease outbreak may lead to a pandemic as people from more than 100 countries participate in the Haj.
The novel strain of Coronaviruses found in the two Arab nationals mimics Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and is capable of spreading from person to person through cough. Saudi guidelines make it mandatory for all pilgrims to be vaccinated against the novel human influenza and other health issues. But city doctors express doubt if the vaccine against novel H1N1 will give protection.
Dr Aftab Ahmed, expert in internal medicine, said, “Since novel Coronavirus is a new strain, we do not know how it behaves. The best way to prevent its spread is through precautions like proper washing of hands and following of cough etiquette.” Infectious diseases expe-rt Dr Suneetha Narreddy said the best way of protecting oneself from novel strains is to isolate people with the symptoms.