Meningitis Is A Serious Threat To Hajj / Umrah Travellers

Main Category: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Article Date: 02 Jun 2009 - 5:00 PDT

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Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK a National Hajj Specific and charitable organisation warned British Hajj that they are at risk of infections including meningococcal disease because of crowded conditions at ceremonies, accommodation sites and on public transport.

Meningitis is a real and killer disease which is transmitted through direct person to person contact via droplets of nasal or throat secretions of infected individuals. Close and prolonged contact within confined space facilitates the spread of infection. Therefore the health experts from Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK strongly urge all prospective Hajj/Umrah pilgrims that they must be vaccinated against meningococcal meningitis before travelling to Saudi Arabia.

The pilgrims as well as Health Professionals are reminded that dosage and schedule of meningitis quadrivalent (ACWY) vaccination recommended by Department of Health is:

1. Children 3 months to 2 years:
- First Dose 0.5ml
- Second dose 0.5 ml 3 Months after the first dose.

2. Children over 2 years of age and adults:
- Single dose of 0.5ml confers protection for up to 3 years
- However Hajj & Umrah visa requirements (At present) by Saudi Authorities is a booster of 0.5ml- 2 years after the first dose.

Health experts also remind the Health Professionals that, guidance on best practice for the administration of all vaccines is contained in the "Green Book" (full title: Immunisation against infectious diseases). http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Healthprotection/Immunisation/Greenbook/DH_4097254

"Every year over 125,000 Hajj/Umrah pilgrim travel to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj/Umrah which is an ongoing process. Therefore Health Professionals at GP surgeries and travel clinics need strategic planning and need to be aware of clear guidelines to address this issue to avoid any outbreak of meningitis, as it has happened in the past, when about twenty British Hajj pilgrims tragically lost their lives due to meningitis outbreak in UK.", said Health experts from Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims).

Source
Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK (A.B.H)