Immediate release: Thursday 10 October 2013
Hajj pilgrims in the West Midlands reminded if unwell not to make the trip this year
Public Health England (PHE) in the West Midlands and National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) are reminding people planning to travel to Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage to check the latest health advice issued in light of on-going cases of respiratory illness caused by the Middle-East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).
Dr Huda Mohamed, health protection consultant for PHE West Midlands, said:
“Many Muslims in the West Midlands will be planning to travel to perform Hajj this month. The potential for spread of infectious diseases associated with mass gatherings is well recognised, with increased risk of outbreaks of diseases such as polio, influenza, hepatitis B, meningococcal disease and yellow fever, so pilgrims must get the most current travel advice and keep their vaccinations up to date.
“Hajj, the annual mass gathering of over three million Muslims from all over the world presents challenges every year, but particularly this year as we are continuing to receive reports of cases of MERS-CoV in the region.”
In addition to the usual health recommendations the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia has recommended the following groups postpone the performance of Umrah and Hajj this year for their own safety:
· people over 65 years of age
· those with chronic diseases such as heart, kidney or respiratory disease; diabetes, immune deficiency, cancer and terminal illnesses
· pregnant women and children under 12 years of age
Dr Dipti Patel, joint director at NaTHNaC, said: “While there are no travel restrictions to the Middle East and the risk to travellers remains very low, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health has advised vulnerable people and children who may have been planning to travel to the Middle East to perform the Hajj to postpone their pilgrimage for their own health and safety.
“Other people should continue with their plans but follow the specific guidance on the Hajj and other general advice about staying safe and healthy when travelling, including practising good personal hygiene.
“It’s very important that anyone who does become ill while making the pilgrimage urgently reports to the health authorities, so they can receive appropriate treatment and avoid spreading illness to others.”
Dr Shuja Shafi, deputy secretary general at the Muslim Council of Britain said: “The Hajj is the largest annual international gathering with more than three million Muslims travelling from around the world to make the pilgrimage, including thousands from the UK.Advice issued by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health recommended that the elderly, those with chronic diseases, pregnant women and children postpone the performance of the Hajj for their own health and safety.
“People who have decided to go on Hajj this year and are unwell before travelling are being advised not to travel. For those who have decided to travel, it’s very important to follow health advice to reduce the risk of infection and to report to the health authorities if they become unwell.”
Notes to Editors
1. PHE and NaTHNaC have put together an information factsheet highlighting the main health issues for Hajj pilgrims, which can be accessed at:
http://www.hpa.org.uk/Publications/InfectiousDiseases/TravelHealth/1310TraveladviceforHajjandUmrahpilgrims2013/
A leaflet is also available on request from PHE West Midlands, which organisations may then get professionally published
2. For the latest travel advice, please see the NaTHNaC website:
http://www.nathnac.org/travel/factsheets/Hajj_Umrah.htm
3. General travel health advice for travellers to Saudi Arabia can be accessed at:
http://www.nathnac.org/ds/c_pages/country_page_SA.htm
4. For more information about MERS-CoV please visit PHE’s dedicated webpages:
http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&Page&HPAwebAutoListName/Page/1317136202637
5. For advice from the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health, please visit:
http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Hajj/Pages/HealthRegulations.aspx
6. Public Health England’s mission is to protect and improve the nation’s health and to address inequalities through working with national and local government, the NHS, industry and the voluntary and community sector. PHE is an operationally autonomous executive agency of the Department of Health. To find out more, visit our website www.gov.uk/phe and follow us on Twitter @PHE_uk
For more information contact PHE West Midlands press office on 0121 232 9223/4