Hajj Officials Confront Swine Flu Threat

The elderly, young, infirm and pregnant should stay away from this year's hajj to avoid catching swine flu, Saudi health officials said today.

Their recommendations followed a workshop aimed at minimising the spread of the disease during the pilgrimage season, which attracts about 4 million Muslims from around the world.

Other measures include vaccinating people at least a fortnight before their arrival in the country and encouraging international delegations to stock medication to prevent and treat the virus causing swine flu.

Participants in the workshop stressed the need to encourage pilgrims to cover their noses when sneezing, cough into tissues and wash their hands with soap. Face masks, another precaution, are already worn by pilgrims to protect against pollution in Mecca and Medina.

The Saudi health minister, Dr Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, said at a press conference in Jeddah that the World Health Organisation experts who took part in the workshop were satisfied with the safeguards in place.

Asked about the efficacy of vaccines against swine flu, he said: "The available vaccines are yet to be evaluated and assessed, a process that might take months." He disagreed with claims that the media had exaggerated the threat posed by swine flu, saying: "The danger of the disease comes from the absence of immunity and vaccination against it."

Fever-detecting cameras will be installed at King Abdulaziz airport in Jeddah, the main gateway for pilgrims entering Saudi Arabia. This week another six cases were announced in the country, raising the total to 81.