04/08/2009 22:27
Ryad, 4 August 2009 (AFP) -
The Saudi Ministry of Health announced Tuesday two new deaths from influenza A (H1N1), bringing to six the total number of deaths related to swine influenza in the Gulf that hosts millions of pilgrims from around the world each year.
A Sri Lankan aged 32 was found dead in his hotel room Monday and a Saudi teenager died in hospital.
Friday, the ministry had reported 600 cases of swine influenza in the country and the government announced stringent measures to prevent the spread of the virus, especially during the small pilgrimage (Omra) in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina that many Muslims perform during Ramadan.
Millions of faithful are expected in the coming months on pilgrimage to the holy places of Islam in Saudi Arabia, which feared an explosion in Riyadh in the number of cases of swine flu.
The great annual pilgrimage to Mecca, a gathering of more than two million faithful, is scheduled in late November. The Omra can be done all year but the peak is greater during Ramadan, which this year starts around August 20
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