Holy shrine in Masshad disinfected to fight virus

Workers in hazmat suits on Friday desinfected the Imam Reza shrine in the Iranian city of Mashhad, a holy site for Shiites around the world. The measure follows the rapid spread of the new virus in Iran, which has resulted in 254 cases and 26 deaths in the country.

Iran has the most in the Middle East and travel there was connected to cases in countries as far away as New Zealand. The counrty's health ministry has urged the people to avoid crowded places including shrines, sport stadiums and cinemas.

Holy shrines in Mashhad and Qom, however, remain open despite the concerns. Authorities at the Imam Reza shrine said they were disinfecting the shrine multiple times a day, and plan to educate worshippers and staff on personal hygiene.

The global count of those infected exceeds 83,000, with China still by far the hardest-hit country.