On the final day of the Islamic pilgrimage, a Saudi official reports five dead from the swine flu. The total number of H1N1 cases reported during the hajj is 73. The number is much smaller than expected. Those participating were strongly urged to get swine flu vaccinations before going on the pilgrimage, but it's estimated only 10 percent of the 2.5 million pilgrims actually received the vaccination. The elderly and children were asked not to make the pilgrimage because they are more susceptible to the virus. Officials said they made an effort to visit tents during the hajj to get cheek swabs in order to monitor whether the disease was spreading. Experts say, however, there is no way to know how many may have contracted the virus, until they begin returning to their homes.
Gathering massive groups of people like that of the Islamic pilgrimage is considered perfect conditions for spreading H1N1, among other contagious diseases. Authorities plan to use the cheek swabs from the hajj to build a database of H1N1 and its mutations in preparation for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. [AP]
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