Singapore: The Philippines Health Ministry has urged its large Muslim population to abort the haj pilgrimage this year, due to MERS fears. The health department spokesperson Mr Lee Suy, said this was a 'health advisory' to the 6500 Filipinos who are set to join the Haj pilgrimage this year in October.

Mr Suy said, "It is an appeal to them to delay the trip this year due to MERS fears, if possible they should reconsider their plans and can go next year, when the situation will be far under control."

Mr Suy added that though it was a religious custom, such precautions were necessary in interest of public health. As per the data, at least two of them dead in Saudi are Filipinos.

Mr Suy said that though Filipino Muslims customarily seek to undertake the Haj at least once in their lifetimes, a number of them make it a point to make the pilgrimage every year.