DUBAI // Health officials have urged pilgrims going to Mecca to perform to Haj next month to make sure they are fully vaccinated.
While inoculations against meningitis are compulsory for pilgrims, Ministry of Health officials have said that the close concentration of people during the religious gathering in Mecca creates a risk of other infectious diseases.
Dr Laila Al Jasmi, head of Immunisation at the Ministry of Health, said pregnant women, children, the elderly and those suffering from chronic diseases were particularly at risk.
“Only the meningitis vaccine is compulsory but we recommend that those at higher risk take the influenza and pneumonia vaccine as well,” she said.
Being vaccinated against hepatitis A and B was also a good idea, she said yesterday while attending a conference at the Shangri-La Hotel in Dubai on the control of infectious diseases during Haj.
Haj will take place this year between September 21 and 26. Up to three million pilgrims from all over the world are expected to attend.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs (Awqaf) said about 5,000 people from the UAE had officially registered to travel to Saudi Arabia.
A Haj mission has been set up by the Ministry of Health in which a team of about 30 health workers – including doctors, nurses, pharmacists and administrations – will be travelling with the pilgrims to take care of them.
Dr Al Jasmi said there were other precautions one could take to reduce the risk of illness.
Firstly pilgrims should maintain good personal hygiene and wash regularly.
Secondly they should wear face masks in crowded places and properly dispose of these when they have finished with them.
“Also, avoid exposure to very cold places and try as much as possible to not rub your hands on your eyes, nose and ears,” she said. “Avoid the temptation to drink icy cold water” as this can increase chances of contracting a virus.
Dr Fatma Al Attar, head of international health regulation at the Ministry of Health, added that pilgrims should avoid sharing prayer mats.
“After the pilgrimage, men are supposed to shave their heads or cut some hair – do not share a blade,” she said.
She also warned that older pilgrims were particularly at risk from certain ailments.
“Ageing is a widely recognised risk factor in pneumococcal disease because of the natural weakening of the immune system with age and thereby susceptibility to infection,” she said.
“The preventive potential of adult pneumococcal vaccination is under-recognised.
“It is essential for people to understand its benefits to ensure an overall increase in the awareness about the burden of pneumococcal disease in the region.”
The Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia and health authorities in UAE have laid down health recommendations for all travellers in addition to setting up vaccination facilities in each of the countries.
The World Health Organisation has also provided advice for travellers heading on Haj.
It said pilgrims should cover their mouths with disposable tissues when coughing or sneezing. They should avoid close contact with camels, drinking unpasteurised camel milk and only eat well-cooked camel meat.
If pilgrims have a fever, cough or difficulty in breathing during Haj they should contact a health worker, it said.
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