As Saudi Arabia registers six new cases of swine flu, the international experts who were in country to discuss the dangers the flu represents to the Haj have come out with their recommendations. They are advising the government to advise some would-be pilgrims—the elderly, pregnant women, children, and those with chronic diseases—to stay away this year.
Haj, for most non-Saudi Muslims, is a once-in-a-lifetime event. It is a conditional obligation upon all Muslims, one of the ‘Five Pillars of Islam’, that they undertake the pilgrimage, if they are able to do so. Ability is contingent upon wealth, but also health. Nevertheless, some save up their money throughout their lives in order to perform Haj. Being discouraged from doing so will come as a blow.
Pregnant women and elderly urged to skip Haj
JEDDAH – International experts have recommended that children, pregnant women, the elderly and those with chronic diseases stay away from the annual Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia to prevent catching swine flu. The recommendations come at the end of a four-day meeting in Jeddah that examined Saudi measures to prevent the spread of swine flu during the Haj in December. The workshop included experts from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.
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Saudi Gazette also reports that Saudi public health authorities are cautioning all who live in Mecca and Madinah and those who deal with pilgrims, to make sure they get regular, seasonal flu vaccinations.
Swine flu isn’t the only public health issue in Saudi Arabia. Arab News runs a piece that reminds us that Dengue Fever is still a problem:
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