On 3 June, the first case of the H1N1 flu was reported in Saudi Arabia and was brought to the Kingdom by a Filipine nurse who had arrived back to the Kingdom after having been on holiday. Shortly thereafter additional cases were reported. Of most concern was a Saudi family who was diagnosed with the virus after having returned to the Kingdom on a Saudi Airlines flight from New York. As a result officials in the Kingdom from the Ministry of Health and those responsible for organizing Hajj are watching the spread of the H1N1 virus very carefully. A hotline was established for residents in the Kingdom to call with their questions and where to go and get tested if they felt they may be exhibiting symptoms of the virus (8002494444).
Not surprisingly Saudi officials are monitoring the cases and spread of H1N1 worldwide. They wish to contain individuals exhibiting any symptoms of H1N1 from entering the Kingdom particularly during Hajj when millions descend on Makkah. An outbreak of H1N1 during Hajj could easily spread the virus not only within Saudi Arabia but quickly throughout countries of the world as pilgrims returned from Hajj back to their home countries.
For those who are interested, this web site tracks the spread of the H1N1 flu around the world.
Filed under: Animals, culture, Health, islam, religion, safety, Saudi Arabia, travel, Uncategorized Tagged: | islam, KSA, Mecca, places, Saudi, Saudi culture, travel, Umra
thanks for valuable information
A great topic and map reference!
I’m sure Saudi epidemiologists know this, but like other flus H1N1 is only communicable for the 1st 3 days of a person’s symptoms (up to 5 in adults, up to 7 in children). After that the symptoms may drag on, including post-viral cough and post-viral fatigue for 2-3 weeks, but the person is not contagious. From the time of contacting H1N1 to getting symptoms (incubation period) is 1-3 days.
H1N1 produces higher fevers, and more severe symptoms but is otherwise like other previously known flus, and is usually mild. It has been around before in a similar form so older people have greater natural immunity to it. There are more deaths from other forms of flu. This one had an impact because it was new, and therefore there is no vaccine (upcoming), and it spread quickly and far in part because Mexico is a popular holiday destination.
The WHO is rightfully re-writing its pandemic guidelines because they caused consternation since their guidelines for what to call a pandemic didn’t include a severity criterion, and did include the presence of illness in 2 countries within the same WHO region. The 1st 5 stages of 6 are just the lead up to a pandemic.
Since Haj involves people from all over in close contact it is a legitimate concern. The single best prevention is handwashing, then staying away from sick people, not coughing and sneezing on others, good rest and nutrition, etc.
Wash your hands! LOL
After hearing stories from Asia where they are putting people into quarantine upon arrival I hope that KSA don’t go down that route. I can see the significance about the Hajj tho.
I am from Victoria, Australia, one of the swine flu hotspots in Aus and I can attest that for average healthy people its not that bad. I’ve had a few cold and flu symptoms this winter so I may even have had it for all I know. I’d prefer not to be targeted when I arrive in KSA because I’m from Australia and get stuck in a room for a week.
Egypt has already warned that they might quarantine anyone coming back from hajj.
Chiara, one can do a lot of handwashing and eat well, but it’s difficult to get enough rest while making Hajj.
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Many are concerned that the H1N1 virus could spread even further when the Ramadan and Haj season comes. I have the confidence in the authorities to quell this illness but I wonder what will they do if a pilgrim has a confirmed case?
Maybe this video might help.
Stacy–I also had a severe flu with high fever in the unseasonable month of June, and then my nephew had it. It may have been H1N1 but neither were tested, and indeed many countries have stopped testing because it is more uncomfortable than regular flu but most cases are mild and the prevention and treatment are the same as for regular flu. The reason I know the above information by heart is to convince family that I didn’t make the child “deathly ill” (missed a week of school), after I wasn’t allowed to visit for Father’s Day for fear of contagion.
Munaqabah–yes the sleep deprivation, the close quarters, and the inability to run from someone sneezing or coughing (scenes of stampedes past) make it a very legitimate concern, even in terms of the number of people being sick, rather than dieing (although some do obviously).
Firdaus Hashim–Hilarious (and accurate!).
Maybe they should play it on the monitors in the Jeddah Airport–no maybe not. LOL 
Wouldnt it be nice if people considering making Haj or Umra would take into account that if they have a cold or flu symptoms to postpone out of respect for other travellers…dont wait for the authorities to take you aside at the airport or something…then you wasted your time and money anyhow.
If your sick in any fashion…stay home…its only common sense. God will understand.
There was an American nurse working in one of the hospitals in Jeddah (who has since left) that told a few of us that they did not have gloves to use when going from patient to patient for a month of the 3 month period she was there, and this was one of the best hospitals in Jeddah.
If this is true, I think that it’s extremely dangerous. If someone sees this happening in any hospital, who can they go to, without fear of reprisals, to tell the authorities in Saudi Arabia?
I mean, it could be due to the nurse being lazy, or it could be that the hospital is not keeping up with the necessary sanitary needs. Or it could be due to their training. Whatever the reason, it should be taken care asap.
If EVERY single human being washed their hands CONSTANTLY, this world would definitely be a better place, in my opinion!:)
And when it comes to Hajj, the problem really lies in the fact that AMONG those millions of people performing Hajj, they have already done so a million times before.
There is no monitoring of who goes in and who comes out period. I mean you can have a person performing Hajj on a yearly basis when this is not even a requirement in the deen. It almost becomes a ritual thing more than the purpose of the religion.
My main point in mentioning this is because of the large crowds and the yearly stampedes and deaths that occur with these crowds. This should not happen to begin with if the main issue was to be addressed!
And now you have this flu outbreak plus CROWDS! It is going to be messy that is for sure!!!
@Miriam Mac:
Totally agree about the DANGEROUS part! But you know, this happens even here in the US. One of the reasons why I did not continue with nursing is this. When I did my clinicals as well as working as a CNA, I used to see the nurses and how they completely were NOT using STANDARD PROCEDURES when it came to the safety of the patients and themselves.
It was unbelievable! You have nurses using the same gloves with several patients. Seeing this, I realized I could not work in this environment cause I would probably get fired the very first day from yelling at every body!!! LOL
In my opinion, I think the cleanliness issue is an individualistic thing. If you are naturally a clean person who is cautious about germs etc., then you are naturally going to take into consideration how you deal with others around you as well.
I don’t know if it’s possible to identify every individual with a cas of this virus and contain them. Especially during hajj. never been there myself but F tells me it’s packed and the pics i’ve looked at look like plenty of people in tight quarters. i guess the best thing would be to give it a miss this yr – especially the very young/old and infirm. the healthly hardy ones can probably take a chance if absolutely required. this should also help reduce the crowds a bit.
Yes, I’ve been reading about the Hajj concerns for a few months now. I saw something posted with a tour company and maybe even on a Saudi Embassy web site somewhere. I think this could also impact our try at getting a Visa to visit this winter. I can certainly understand the concerns for the Hajj. Canada has just had their first ‘healthy’ man die from it. Generally it is those who had health issues before contracting the virus that died. This ‘healthy’ death puts a new spin on it.
The biggest problem would seem to be that between the 3 days of having the virus but no symptoms one could be on the way to the haj, and then become symptomatic and contagious X3 days (or up to 5) while there. It is hard to change long distance plans, and to forego a visa once issued, given quotas, and of course the haj days are fixed.
The deaths in young healthy people are attributed to the lack of immunity to this new virus, whereas older people have partial immunity because of an earlier form of swine flu.
As Coolred and Radha said, It might be wise to give haj a miss this year, especially for Saudis who have fewer travel expenses and preparations. I did understand, though, that there is also a restriction on the number of Saudis attending, and that they are not allowed to do haj again for a number of years after the previous time.
Professional hygiene is a combination of personal hygiene, profession training, professional standards as practised in the work setting, availability of materials, and workplace enforcement of standards (or enforcement of poor standards).
The Libyan HIV/AIDs crisis was because of the practice, and necessity, of reusing needles. The standard practice was to do multiple blood draws or injections going from one patient to the next. 1 index case from subsaharan Africa –> ~450 Lybian children affected.
Most of the staff knew better, but that was the practice enforced (a Libyan Doctor told me about it, and it was also reported in a number of professional inquiries).
Manal: “There is no monitoring of who goes in and who comes out period. I mean you can have a person performing Hajj on a yearly basis when this is not even a requirement in the deen”
Not only is it not a requirement, but the Saudi government has asked people not to make hajj more than once every 5 years (unless there’s a reason, like a man who is going to act as mahram for someone).
They do monitor, but the problem is with people living in Saudi or the Gulf, because they don’t need visas to enter Saudi. I do know some that go every year… it would be better for them to stay home and contribute money to one of the charity committees that helps the poor afford their one required hajj.