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Health Guidelines for Hajj 2004 The Saudi Kingdom has issued health guidelines for those arriving in the Holy land to perform Umra and Hajj in the year 2004. Minister of Health, Hamad Bin Abdullah Al-Mane, while issuing the conditions said the Ministry annually places guidelines for pilgrims after gathering information about various infectious diseases which could cause problems during Haj and Umra. Assistant Minister for Preventive Medicine, Yocoub Yusuf al Mazrou clarified that the Ministry of Health keeps an eye on infectious diseases throughout the year to draw up a basis for health conditions.

He said the guidelines this year include protection and prevention procedures for those arriving from countries with local transmission of the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) virus.

Some of these procedures are to be applied outside the Kingdom, while others will be administered at various points of entry into the country. Rida Bin Mohamad Khalil, Consultant to the Health Administration and head of the preparatory Haj Committee said the Kingdom's missions around the world have been advised of the necessity of applying these health conditions.

They include the following:
Yellow Fever: Pilgrims arriving from countries known to be infected with Yellow Fever are required to present a valid immunization certificate against the disease in accordance with International Health Regulations. In the absence of a certificate, those arriving will be vaccinated at the port of entry into the Kingdom and placed under observation for six days from the date of vaccination or last date of possible infection. In accordance with the International Health Regulations, aeroplanes and other means of transport arriving from countries with a known Yellow Fever epidemic must present a disinfections certificate on board the craft.

Meningoccocal Meningitis The quadrivalent vaccination (ACYW135) is a must for Haj and Umra visa for the year 2004. Everyone entering the Kingdom whether for Haj, Umra or seasonal work in the holy sites must present a vaccination certificate against meningitis specifying that they have been vaccinated at least 10 days prior to and not more than 3 years before arriving in the holy land. Health authorities in the relevant countries must carry out vaccinations as follows: Adults and children over 2 years are given a single dose of the ACYW135 vaccine. Children from 3 months to 2 years are given 2 doses of the vaccine three months apart. In case the vaccination is not available, they should be given preventive treatment. The Saudi Health authorities at ports of entry should give pilgrims arriving from the African belt along with those coming from India and Bangladesh preventive doses aimed at reducing the carrier rate among them. The Ministry of Health recommends that all medical delegation should give their members a dose of the preventive treatment, Ceprofloxacin or Rifampicin prior to the departure from Haj areas in order to reduce the carrier rate among them and prevent the spread of infections among their companions.

Influenza The Ministry of Health recommends that home countries should make their citizens aware to take the influenza vaccination prior to their departure for the Kingdom especially those who are likely to suffer complications of the illness such as the elderly and those with long-term respiratory diseases or diabetes or liver and /or heart failure.

SARSEven though, the World Health Organisation has announced the end of the local transmission of the SARS virus in the countries with registered cases, the definite end of this illness has not been confirmed.

Countries with local SARS transmission Those arriving from these countries must fill out a Health Declaration card to identify anyone with the symptoms so that they may be aided.

All those who arriving Their Body temperature will be measured. Anyone with a raised body temperature will be evaluated at the port of entry and suspicious cases will be isolated.

Observation Close observation will be undertaken at all ports of entry for all pilgrims arriving from countries known to have epidemics of diseases and are subject to international observation such as SARS, Yellow Fever, Meningitis and Dengue fever-including close observation of their fellow travellers.

Source :- ISLAMIC VOICE - DEC 03 Issue.