Riyadh: Saudi Arabia is ready for the annual Haj despite an increase in cases of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers) coronavirus infection, the health ministry said Monday.
“We are working hard to control the spreading of the virus and are ready for Haj season,” Health Minister Abdullah Al Rabie said.
“We have long and competent experience in mass gathering medicine as an international reference in this field,” Xinhua reported Al Rabie as saying.
The health ministry Sunday announced 13 new cases in four cities, but said that the mortality rate had been reduced from 60 per cent to 32 per cent.
Al Rabie attributed the rise in reported cases to improved approach to tests rather than an accelerated spread of the virus.
No vaccines are available for the disease and its transmission routes remain unknown, the minister said, adding that five international pharmaceutical firms have been trying to develop a vaccine.
