Jeddah, September 30: No swine flu deaths were reported among millions of pilgrims during the holy month of Ramadan despite fears of a massive outbreak, according to the ministry of health. Just 26 cases of H1N1 influenza were reported in Makkah and Madinah during Ramadan, the Saudi Press Agency reported, quoting a ministry statement on Monday.
Several million foreigners, joined by as many local pilgrims, had descended on Makkah and Madinah to perform Umra during the holy month that ended on September 20. The statement said that two cases were reported in the northern and southern border regions on the land route to Makkah from neighbouring countries. It added that the Ministry of Health continues to follow closely the disease among pilgrims and visitors from all areas through epidemiological surveillance and laboratory diagnosis of suspected cases. Epidemiologists feared a massive outbreak of swine flu among pilgrims at the peak Umra period during the fasting month. As of September 7, when the most recent government data were released, 26 people had died of swine flu in Saudi Arabia. So far there have been over 3,500 confirmed cases of H1N1 in Saudi Arabia, which were mostly cured.
But the danger was reduced by intensive surveillance, preparation and warnings from Riyadh that children, the elderly and other high-risk persons should abstain from undertaking Umra this year.
Countries such as Egypt and Oman placed their own restrictions on Umra pilgrims to mitigate the threat.
Saudi Arabia and global health authorities are concerned about the possibility of an outbreak during the annual pilgrimage in late November when more than two million foreigners and possibly as many Saudis are expected to descend on the two holy cities. habibshaikh@khleejtimes.com
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and the Saudi Food and Drugs Authority on Monday assured citizens and expatriates that there were no side effects for the H1N1 vaccine expected to be available mid next month.
“There is no truth to the reports carried by some Internet sites and circulated on mobile messages that the vaccine has bad side effects,” the two said in a joint press release.
The ministry and the SFDA said the vaccine was being marketed after it was proved that it is not harmful and is according to the international standards of safety.
The ministry plans to import 10 million doses of the vaccine in addition to five million doses for use in schools.
–Agencies