health and hajj

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Hajj Pilgrimage to Mecca – health tips and a general update


With As an estimated 2 million Muslims from 184 countries gather in Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca to take part in the annual hajj pilgrimage, we thought it would be useful to prepare an update of various health issues. You can see previous information here.

Over the last 6 months, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the

Hajj and health

Hajj and health

Government of Saudi Arabia have been working together to ensure the health issues that could arise with any mass gathering of people can be addressed.

“With this large number of older people coming together at one time, an increase in potential health issues is always expected,” says Dr Ala Alwan, WHO’s Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Region. “Whether it is working to prevent the spread of the infectious diseases, treating injuries, or providing care for chronic health issues often associated with ageing, there must be extensive coordination of health services locally during this time.”

The Ministry of Health says in addition to the permanent medical staff in Makkah province, where Mina and Mecca are located, 25 000 additional health workers have been deployed and 8 hospitals that are only used during this time of the year have been opened.


“These hospitals are complete with state-of-the-art surgical wards and intensive care units,” says H.E. Khalid Al-Falih, the Minister of Health of Saudi Arabia. “We recognize the concerns that many have regarding infectious disease in today’s environment, including the Middle East respiratory disease coronavirus (MERS-CoV), however, since the onset of the disease in 2012, there have not been any cases among hajj pilgrims, and we are working to keep it that way.”

In addition to increases in health workers and health facilities where people will be gathering, the Government requires certain health precautions from all pilgrims including immunization to protect against diseases like seasonal influenza, meningococcal meningitis, poliomyelitis, and yellow fever. In addition, health officials advise people to practise good hygiene, including:

• washing hands with soap and water or disinfectant, especially after coughing or sneezing
• using disposable tissues when coughing or sneezing and disposing of them properly
• avoiding hand contact with the eyes, nose and mouth since those can be easy ways to spread germs.

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Latest health and travel advice for Hajj and Umrah – well worth a read. And please share with all those making the pilgrimage.

Hajj and Umrah

Hajj and Umrah

Public Health England have just released their health advice for anyone making the Pilgrimage to Mecca this year. For non-Muslims the Hajj is the annual pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is estimated to fall during early October 2014. Umrah is a shorter, non-compulsory pilgrimage for Muslims that can be performed at any time.

I’m sharing it here because well this is the kind of useful info some of my readers will need. Go here for any updates since this blog was posted.

“In response to international outbreaks of disease, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) Ministry of Health has recommended the following groups should postpone the performance of the Hajj and Umrah as a precautionary measure this year, for their own safety: elderly people, those with chronic diseases (heart disease, kidney disease, respiratory disease, nervous system disorders and diabetes), immunodeficient patients (congenital and acquired), pregnant women and children.

The World Health Organization (WHO) does not currently advise any travel restrictions to KSA in relation to the outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and overall the risk of UK residents travelling to the Middle East contracting the virus remains low. However, cases reported from KSA continue to increase, to 846 by September 2014, and there have now been 298 deaths, occurring mainly among residents.

Professor Nick Phin, head of respiratory diseases at PHE said: “With growing evidence indicating the role of camels in transmitting MERS-CoV to humans, we’re advising all travellers to the Middle East, particularly those with underlying or chronic medical conditions, to avoid contact with camels and camel products, and to practise good hand and respiratory hygiene to reduce the risk of respiratory illnesses.

MERS-CoV is a new type of coronavirus first identified in a Middle Eastern citizen in 2012. Although cases continue to be reported from the Middle East, no new cases of MERS have been detected in the UK since the cases linked to the Middle East in February 2013.

“Pilgrims returning from Hajj and Umrah with flu-like symptoms including fever and cough, or shortness of breath within 14 days of being in the Middle East, should contact their GP without delay and inform them of their travel.”

Pilgrims should also be aware this year that due to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, visas will not be issued to individuals who have travelled or lived in Ebola affected countries within the three weeks before their applications. All visitors to the KSA will be required to complete an Ebola screening card before being allowed to enter the country.

In addition, the declaration by WHO of polio as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern has also led to additional vaccination requirements for arrivals in KSA from particular countries.

Dr Dipti Patel, joint director of NaTHNaC, said: “Our updated health information sheet for pilgrims includes information on health regulations, vaccine requirements, recommendations and general health advice for those planning to travel for the Hajj and Umrah. Pilgrims are strongly advised to follow our specific guidance about staying safe and healthy when travelling.”

Dr Brian McCloskey, director of global health at PHE, said: “The Hajj is the largest annual international gathering, with more than two million Muslims travelling from around the world, including thousands from the UK. A large population in one confined area has historically increased the risk of infectious disease outbreaks, which is why it is important to get the relevant vaccinations and to get travel advice from your GP or travel health clinic.”