In the new Umrah 2011 season over 100,000 British Umrah pilgrims and millions of others from around the world are converging in the Holy city of Makkah. In such crowded environment the pilgrims are at extra risk of contracting infectious diseases.

Health experts from the Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK, a National organisation working for the welfare and wellbeing of British Hajj & Umrah pilgrims have issued a warning to those planning for the Umrah trip to take extra care to protect themselves and their families against infectious diseases like Meningitis and Hepatitis.

The communicable diseases can be transmitted through direct person-to-person contact with droplets of nasal or throat secretions of infected individuals. Close and prolonged contact (e.g. sneezing and coughing on someone) facilitates the spread of infection. The most common symptoms specifically for meningitis are stiff neck, high fever, sensitivity to light, confusion, headaches and vomiting. It is vital that all travellers get 'quadrivalent meningococcal' vaccine (ACWY) before leaving for Saudi Arabia. A valid certificate of meningitis vaccine from your doctor is compulsory to obtain visa from the Saudi Embassy.

Pilgrims with chronic diseases

The health experts specifically reminded the people with diabetes about the high risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose) due to the extremely excessive physical activities being undertaken amongst a large crowded environment. Therefore it is crucial that diabetic people must visit their doctor for a pre-travel consultation and medical examination to make sure that their diabetes is well controlled. They need to protect themselves from the sun, dehydration, exhaustion, foot problems, respiratory and bronchial illness. Travellers on medication should take an adequate supply with them, accompanied by their doctor’s note describing the medicine and their medical history.


Press release of the Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK (A.B.H)

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