The ruling on leaving one's customary work out of fear of illness, such as swine flu

Question:
May Allah reward you. This questioner says: What is the ruling on leaving one's customary work out of fear of illness, such as swine flu? For example, someone who is accustomed to performing 'Umrah in Ramadan?

Answer:
There is nothing wrong with that, if there is a contagious disease that you fear will affect you. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered that one should not enter a town where there is an epidemic, nor leave it. If the disease has struck the town, no one should leave it so as not to spread the infection, and you should not proceed to a town where there is a disease, taking the necessary precautions. This is part of prevention. So there is nothing wrong if it is confirmed that there is a disease in the town, whether for 'Umrah or Hajj. If it is confirmed that there is a disease that affects people and is contagious, then you do not travel; you leave the 'Umrah and the Hajj for another time. What is the way to do that? This is part of prevention.