Preventing H1N1 at Hajj

November 9, 10:59 AMLong Island International Travel ExaminerNance Carter

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Saudi Arabian Health Minister Abdullah al-Rabeeah, right, gives his daughter Hana, 8, a swine flu vaccine during the launch of a swine flu vaccine campaign in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009
(AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

With the annual Hajj beginning in a few weeks, Saudi Health Minister Abdullah al-Rabeeah announced approximately 500,000 pilgrims have already arrived in the country. With regard to swine flu fears, he advised it is the responsibility of individual countries to enforce flu recommendations and the Saudi kingdom will not ban anyone from the Hajj, even if considered high risk. So far, only 2 cases of H1N1have been reported.

The annual pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina is estimated to draw more than 3 million this year. Taking the Hajj is a moral obligation expected of every able-bodied Muslim at least once in their lifetime.  This year's Hajj begins November 25.

The American Center for Disease Control and Prevention is working with the Saudi Health Ministry set up a command center in Mecca to monitor various diseases, including the flu. Concerns are that health care facilities be ready and able to handle the amount of potential flu sufferers, and the possibility that afflicted travelers may bring the flu back home to further infect more people, as happened in Mexico this past Spring.

Muslims arriving to take part in the pilgrimage will be checked for H1N1 symptoms and given sanitizing hand gel and face masks.

For more info:
The Hajj at a glance
50 Things to do at Hajj

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