Abu Dhabi, July 21: Saudi health official are now recommending that anyone travelling to Makkah or Madinah should receive a seasonal flu vaccine at least two weeks prior.
News on the infection of two Iranians that had recently returned from Umra (small pilgrimage) to Makkah with the H1N1 virus has brought back fears of the possible spread of swine flu during the Hajj season among Hajj pilgrims and hence the increased global spread of the illness.
Saudi health official are now recommending that anyone travelling to Makkah or Madinah should receive a seasonal flu vaccine at least two weeks prior. They are also recommending that pregnant women, children and chronically ill elderly persons should refrain from attending this year’s Hajj.
With rates of infection in the Middle East being relatively low when compared to worldwide infection rates, the main concern comes from countries such as the US and the UK, both of which have large Muslim populations as well as high infection rates. The concerns are compounded by the high numbers of pilgrims travelling from these countries. Nearly 25,000 British Muslims are reported to attend the Hajj each year and presently the UK has had more than 9000 reported swine flu cases. About two million pilgrims are expected to perform the Hajj this November.
Several countries have issued advice to residents planning on attending this year’s Hajj. Quarantine facilities have also been set up at Saudi airports to facilitate the isolation of any pilgrims suspected to have been infected with the virus.
–Agencies