Saudi on Alert Over Hajj Swine Flu Fears

Saudi authorities are taking measures to head off concerns about the spread of the swine flu virus during hajj. (Reuters).

"The hajj is a central ritual of Islam, and our country tries to make it easy for everyone to come," Ziad A. Memish, the country's assistant deputy minister for preventive medicine, told The New York Times Friday, October 30.

He said measures have been taken to prevent the H1N1 transmission during the ritual next month.

Saudi authorities have bought stockpiles of generic Tamiflu vaccine for the pilgrims.

Riyadh has also set up an emergency operations center to follow up closely reports coming from hospitals and clinics in the holy cities.

Thermal screening equipment to detect passengers with fevers have also been deployed in Saudi airports.

Airports and ports were also asked to set aside room to hold 200 to 300 suspect patients for evaluation.

Saudi aid groups are also preparing to distribute personal hygiene kits, including face masks and hand sanitizer, to the pilgrims.

Fliers about the virus and precautionary measures will also be distributed to the pilgrims.

The swine flu (H1N1), a mixture of various swine, bird and human viruses, first emerged in Mexico in April.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says the virus is moving around the globe at "unprecedented speed."

The virus has so far killed more than 3,917 people in 191 countries.

Vaccination

Saudi authorities have urged the pilgrims to get vaccinated at least two weeks before departure for hajj.

"We've said we won't turn away anyone who arrives at our borders," Memish told the Times.

"But we are recommending to other countries whom they should let come."

China this week announced that more than 12,000 pilgrims will be inoculated.

Many Arab countries have also announced plans to vaccinate pilgrims before they travel to hajj.

Health officials from the 22 Arab countries have already banned the elderly and young children from going on hajj and `Umrah this year over swine flu fears.

But the swine flu concerns have prompted Tunisia to cancel hajj this year.

Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, the head of the International Union for Muslim Scholars, has said that the swine flu virus does not justify postponing the ritual.

Every able-bodied adult Muslim -- who can financially afford the trip -- must perform hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, once in their lifetime.

Around three million pilgrims from over 160 countries are expected to perform hajj this year, which is expected to climax on November 26, when the faithful descend the Mount `Arafat.