Health authority urges pregnant women and elderly to avoid performing Haj

The elderly, children under 12, and pregnant women should avoid undertaking the Haj pilgrimage this year, health experts have said.

UAE doctors have warned would-be pilgrims to ensure that they get all of the necessary vaccinations. Mohammed Al Shaikh / AFP

DUBAI // The elderly, children under 12 and pregnant people should avoid the Haj this year, health experts advise.

The call came after 22 cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or Mers, were reported in Saudi Arabia last month.

Four of those were in Jeddah, the main entry point for pilgrims flying into Saudi Arabia.

Doctors have warned people who intend to perform the pilgrimage to have all of the necessary vaccinations before leaving.

› Read more: Precautions to take at Haj

“The recommendation for high-risk groups is not to do Haj this year because they have a higher risk of complications,” said Dr Farida Al Hosani manager of communicable diseases at the Health Authority Abu Dhabi.

“Efforts regarding Mers are continuous, although it’s mainly not in Mecca or Medina.”

Influenza, cramps and dehydration are the most common health problems pilgrims suffer during Haj, said Dr Al Hosani.

“Influenza continues to be one of the most common problems. This is mainly because people don’t take the vaccine,” she said.

“I advise every pilgrim to take the vaccine as we know that it is very effective in prevention, and we know that most of them come back from Haj with influenza.”

The meningitis vaccine is the only mandatory jab required for pilgrims from the UAE. Forty-one centres in Abu Dhabi provide the inoculation free of charge.

Health authorities have confirmed that there is no threat of the zika virus in Saudi Arabia.

Dr Al Hosani said: “Saudi Arabia has very strict conditions on planes coming from infected countries. These have to be sprayed before they come.

“This rule also applies in the UAE for all planes coming from countries infected by zika. They need to provide a proof that they sprayed the plane.”

Dr Abdulkareem Al Zarooni, a director at the Ministry of Health and Prevention said the Saudi authorities had done extensive work against Mers, and communicable diseases in general.

“The most important thing is that you should have critical care available,” said Dr Al Zarooni. “Saudi Arabia has done a marvellous job. Even in places like Arafat, where pilgrims will be for one day, there will be four hospitals and each one will have 60 to 70 ICU beds.”

Dr Nahed Al Yousuf, a director at the Dubai Health Authority, said flu and respiratory tract infections were most common after Haj.

“The most important precaution against Mers is washing one’s hands, taking care during pilgrimage, wearing a mask, eating healthy food and avoiding contact with sick people,” Dr Al Yousuf said.

In Dubai, 11 health centres have been providing the meningitis vaccine. Expats should check their insurance plan to see if other vaccines are covered.