Saudi Arabian Health Officials Ask Pilgrims To Wear Masks

Revelation 6:7,8 NCV When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!"8 I looked, and there before me was a pale horse. Its rider was named death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill people by war, by starvation, by disease, and by the wild animals of the earth.

Saudi Arabian health officials have asked any Muslim coming to their country on a religious pilgrimage to wear surgical masks to lessen chances of contracting the deadly MERS virus.

Officials also told elderly people or those with any form of chronic disease to not come to the country.

MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) has killed 38 people since its discovery and evidence has been confirmed of the virus spreading between humans in close contact. Millions are expected to come to Saudi Arabia for hajj in October. The potential for the virus to spread among pilgrims is high and that could bring the virus to new countries and regions.

The World Health Organization now says of 80 confirmed cases of MERS, 44 have died.

This is not the first time that Saudi Arabia has issued warnings or restrictions due to medical issues. In 2003 after an outbreak of polio pilgrims were required to show proof of vaccination before entering the Kingdom.

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