Saudi Arabia Bans Ugandans From Mecca Over Ebola Fears
KAMPALA (News Agencies) - Saudi Arabia has stopped issuing visas to Ugandan Muslims hoping to make the pilgrimage to Mecca because of fear that they will spread the often deadly Ebola virus, the Ugandan health ministry confirmed Thursday.
An outbreak of Ebola, which was identified in the northern Ugandan town of Gulu last September, has so far killed 174 people.
The next pilgrimage to Mecca, an annual event that attracts more than a million Muslims, is scheduled for February.
Francis Omaswa, director general of medical services in Uganda, said that the ban was not justified.
"This is not called for. It is not necessary at all. We are going to issue some documents to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to reassure them that there is no need to stop pilgrims traveling," Omaswa said.
According to the World Health Organization there is no need to apply travel restrictions to Ugandan nationals.
Only two new cases of Ebola have been recorded this year.
Muslims account for 10% of the Ugandan population.
