Saudi- Prompt steps ensure pilgrims stay healthy

(MENAFN- Arab News) The Ministry of Health has been closely monitoring the health condition of incoming Haj pilgrims from all parts of the world, a senior MoH official said Sunday. Health officials are monitoring pilgrims at 14 ports of entry, said Mohammed Hamzah Khosheim, deputy health minister for planning and development. "They are expected to take preventive and curative measures to keep infection in check." He said that pilgrimage sites in Makkah and Madinah have so far been declared safe from epidemics. Indicators point to a disease-free Haj this year. Around 600,000 pilgrims have already arrived in the holy cities. Khosheim said that health officials at the ports of entry would make sure that pilgrims have been vaccinated at their ports of origin. "Shots will be given to those who have not been vaccinated at the ports of entry so that they are fortified against diseases," the deputy minister said. Pilgrims need to produce vaccination certificates against yellow fever, meningitis, polio and influenza depending on the countries of their origin. Pilgrims from the African and South American continents have been advised to take vaccinations against yellow fever, which is endemic in those regions. Vaccinations for meningitis have been made compulsory for pilgrims since it can spread due to congestion, coughing and droplets from infected people. Children between the ages of two and 15 years have been asked to take oral doses of the polio vaccine prior to their arrival in the Kingdom. Elderly pilgrims and those suffering from chronic diseases have been requested to postpone their Haj pilgrimage this year as a preventive measure against the spread of MERS coronavirus. Khosheim said the ministry had also spelt out the quarantine regulations in the Kingdom. They include presenting a valid certificate of vaccination against meningitis 10 days prior to pilgrims' departure for Makkah and Madinah. They should also obtain a certificate of vaccination for polio if they are from endemic countries.