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Health requirements and recommendations for entry visas for Saudi Arabia for Hajj and Umra, 1430 H (2009)
The Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia has recently issued a set of health requirements and recommendations for entry visas for Saudi Arabia for the Hajj and Umra season, 1430 H (2009), with special focus on reducing the transmission of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza among pilgrims. These health requirements and recommendations call for those population groups who are considered to be at high risk for complications from influenza to refrain voluntarily from this year’s Hajj. The requirements issued by the Kingdom also request the health authorities in pilgrims’ countries of origin to educate and advise pilgrims on basic public health measures (personal hygiene measures, cough etiquette, use of antiseptic hand gel, etc.) to be followed during Hajj and Umra to prevent the spread of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 during the upcoming Hajj season.
International consultation: Infectious disease prevention and control at Umra and Hajj (2009)
WHO participates in a public health preparedness mission for Hajj 1432: no major communicable disease crisis reported
Following an invitation from the Government of Saudi Arabia, a high level team from the Regional Office participated in a technical mission to observe the public health measures undertaken by Saudi Arabia for the hajj pilgrimage 1432/2011. The team visited the field hospitals set up at selected points of entry to see the curative, preventive and promotive health services provided for pilgrims. They also reviewed the public surveillance systems for early detection of and response to infectious disease outbreaks and assessed the risk communication messages given to the pilgrims. The WHO team noted the high level of health care services and public health services made available to the pilgrims, which facilitated the performance of their religious duties free from ill health, with comfort and peace of mind. H.E. Dr Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al-Rabeeah, Minister of Health, Saudi Arabia, in presence of the WHO team, announced at a press conference held on 8 November, that the Hajj season 1432/2011 had been free of any outbreak of communicable diseases or major health event.
