Swine flu outbreak during Haj 'inevitable'

Jul 07, 2009 at 14:07


By Peter Harrison

A swine flu outbreak in Saudi Arabia during the pilgrimage season is “inevitable”, but authorities have adequate measures in place for when millions of pilgrims descend on the kingdom later this year, a WHO official said on Tuesday.

"We (WHO) are expecting an outbreak of the illness during pilgrimage season,” Dr John Jappour, medical officer in emerging diseases at the World Health Organization (WHO), told Maktoob Business in an interview.

Jappour said the rapid spread of A(H1N1) globally and the sheer number of people congregating in holy cities of Mecca and Medina for Umrah and Haj meant there would almost certainly be an outbreak of the potentially deadly flu virus.

Around 2 million Muslims are expected to make the journey to Saudi Arabia between August and December for Umrah and Haj.

The Umrah - minor pilgrimage - season picks up in late August, during the fasting month of Ramadan, followed by the Haj - the fifth pillar of Islam - in late November.

With the rapid global spread of swine flu all eyes are on Saudi Arabia to make sure the conservative Muslim country can limit the spread of the virus and cope with any outbreak.

Worldwide, more than 98,000 cases of swine flu, including over 440 deaths, have been reported in some 137 countries, according to the latest WHO figures. Saudi Arabia has recorded 125 cases.

Countries, especially those with large Muslim populations, are very concerns about the prospect of thousands of pilgrims returning home infected with swine flu.

Saudi Arabia and several neighbouring Gulf states have urged old and sick people, as well as pregnant women and children, to skip pilgrimage this year.

Countries are also beefing up airport screening of returning pilgrims - Egypt has said all returning pilgrims will be quarantined.

The WHO, as well as experts from the U.N. and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have all been to Saudi to assess the kingdom’s preparations.

“We are confident that Saudi Arabia now has sufficient contingencies in place,” Jappour said, describing them as "comprehensive, methodical and transparent".

Jappour warned, however, that if a more virulent strain of A(H1N1) emerged contingencies would have to be reassessed.

The current wave of swine flu sweeping the world is seen as relatively mild, killing less than 0.5 percent of those infected, but scientists raised warned subsequent waves may be more virulent.

"If the strain were to mutate we would have to hold further talks to ensure this was dealt with," Jappour said.
hattip Shiloh