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More than two million potential pilgrims from the Hajj pilgrimage around the world will begin converging in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in the coming weeks for the Hajj pilgrimage.
Pilgrims have always been exposed to a high risk of contracting infectious diseases because of the proximity with millions of people during the pilgrimage, especially during ceremonies, when sharing accommodation and public transport.
Infectious diseases can be transmitted by direct contact from person to person via the droplets, nasal secretions or throat of infected persons. Close and prolonged contact with infected persons (for example, sneezing and coughing on a person, sharing utensils used by an affected person) facilitate the spread of the infection. Elderly and sick pilgrims with chronic diseases (diabetes, respiratory, cardiac, renal and hepatic diseases), children, pregnant women and immunodeficient persons are at a higher risk of acquiring infectious diseases.
People whose health status is compromised – including those with an infectious disease and a malignant tumor – are welcome to defer planning their pilgrimage for their own safety, until such time as their health status improves. It is not mandatory for anyone with a serious health problem to practice Hajj.
It is extremely regrettable that the vast majority of pilgrims present do not have sufficient knowledge of the risks involved when performing Hajj rituals among the impressive crowd of more than two million people. Past epidemics of infectious diseases during the Hajj, during which a large number of pilgrims lost their lives, could have been avoided if these pilgrims had been informed of the precautionary measures to save lives.
Experienced doctors from the Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) in the United Kingdom urge the authorities of the countries concerned sending pilgrims to Hajj to take health and safety issues related to the pilgrimage seriously. The World Health Organization (WHO) also requires the dissemination of information essential for the survival of their future pilgrims, in a joint statement that: "This will also ensure the elimination of the risk of outbreaks of deadly infectious diseases when returning pilgrims to their country of origin".
Association of British Hujjaj (pilgrims) United Kingdom
249 Ladypool Road
Birmingham, B12 8LF UK
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