Fears of bird flu pandemic have led Saudi Arabia to step up health checks at entry points for Hajj pilgrims. Over 2.5 million Muslims from about 160 countries will throng Mecca, Medina and Arafat for the holy trip.
Dr Hamad Al-Manei, Saudi Arabia's minister of health, said that those who arrived for hajj between January 8 and 12 had been tested and were found to be virus-free. “Some 622,000 pilgrims who have come for the Hajj are free of any virus or illness,” he said, adding, “The ministry looks into information related to diseases and epidemics in different countries. Anyone found to have an illness is sent back to his country immediately.”
An outbreak of the flu among the pilgrims would lead to a major pandemic as the visitors come from many countries. The presence of so many people at one place can also lead to the emergence of a new strain of the H5N1 virus.
According to Saudi Arabian officials, the country has so far invested US$ 6.7 million towards thwarting any health disaster during the season considered holy by Muslims the world over. Manei claimed that around 10,000 health professionals, including doctors, are prepared with supplies in 21 hospitals and 155 health care centers in the holy sites to tackle any emergency.
Measures are also being adopted to handle the threat of other diseases like polio. Youngsters, belonging to countries like Nigeria that have seen the resurgence of polio because they stopped vaccination citing religious reasons, to bring proof that they have been vaccinated. The country might also vaccinate those who have been vaccinated again.
To avoid being sent back, pilgrims have been urged to visit their family doctors to ascertain a disease- or infection-free status. Dr Ahmed Omran, Bahrain's hajj coordinating committee chief, said that travelers should seek an appointment with their doctors before they embark on the trip. “Pilgrims and non-traveling family members should come for meningitis vaccinations. We haven't had any cases for many years and we want it to stay this way,” he said, adding that tetanus and flu shots are also important.
Health seems to be a big concern this time round with the water department of Mecca also taking initiatives to ensure no water-borne illnesses hit the crowds. Saudi Arabia's water department chief Muhammad Al-Baghdadi checked the water supply systems Mecca, Medina and Arafat.
However, not everyone is worried about the health implications of bringing so many people together when various viruses are threatening the health scenario of the world. “Worrying is normal, but that doesn't mean there are not enough procedures to prevent something like this,” a spokesman for the country's Interior Ministry said.
Meanwhile, a helpline has been set up in Riyadh for those seeking health advice. A pilgrim can dial 01-291-6754 between 7.30 am to 4.30 pm till January 10 for clearing his or her health doubts from cardiologists, pharmacists, dentists and other specialists. “We have a team of experts attending the calls who will give instant replies to callers who seek medical advice during the pilgrimage. We assure all callers strict confidentiality of the information provided during their telephone inquiries,” said Amal Moawiya Abu Al-Jedaie, the head of the project.
