MECCA - The authorities in Saudi Arabia are worried about the Mexican flu now the great Islamic pilgrimage, the hajj, begins.
This week there are an estimated three million people to Mecca for the gathering and rituals from Wednesday least five days to complete. Around 1.7 million pilgrims from abroad. In the weekend reported the Saudi Ministry of Health that four foreign pilgrims to the Mexican flu have died. Sixteen others showed flu symptoms. Monday was clear that twelve suspected patients are back on, but four flu patients in a critical condition in hospital.
The Ministry of Hajj, which is responsible for organizing the mass pilgrimage, in a communiqué expressed doubts about the death of the four deceased. That had serious health problems unrelated to the influenza A (H1N1) had to do. But other ministries there concern, especially about the large crowd that November 26 is expected on Mount Arafat. This is the greatest opportunity for a virus that is spreading like. The pilgrims go there in the morning and go massively remain there all day.
Saudi Arabia requires vaccination of pilgrims only from countries where the vaccine is available. Others are possible vaccinated. Patients are at the airport in the port of Mecca and Jeddah including detected with special cameras that not bombs or grenades but the tracking of the passenger body temperature measurement. An increase may indicate flu. The organization has 15,000 people employed for the detection and treatment of flu patients. There are also mobile equipment used to see whether a patient suspected to suffer the Mexican flu.
The Saudi ministry is now urgent and repeated appeals from the Hajj to see if it is younger than twelve, over 65, pregnant or suffering chronic health problems. (Reuters)
