Paper
An Insight into the Challenges Posed by Communicable Diseases During Pilgrimage Seasons
- Authors:
- Zubair M. Azizkhan
- Abstract
- The annual performance of Hajj by Muslims from around the globe that takes place in Makkah poses many logistical and preparation challenges to Saudi Authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO). These challenges mainly arise from monitoring old and emerging infectious diseases that may be spread by the large number of pilgrims that can exceed three million, gathering in a small defined area. Different infectious diseases have been reported frequently, during and following the Hajj season. The spread of diseases (communicable diseases) was found to be very high during Hajj. They are mainly caused by respiratory infections such as influenza viruses that become more dangerous each year with the emergance of new kinds such as pandemic influenza A (H1N1), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and avian influenza (H5N1). Recently, there are special concerns to an emerging infectious agent known as the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and to the re-emergence of the Ebola virus. Examples of communicable diseases are meningococcal meningitis infections and blood-borne diseases, including hepatitis B, C and HIV that can lead to a high mortality rate among pilgrims and other people around the globe. In this study, a review is performed on the most recent cases of communicable disease infections that occurred during the Hajj in past years and the safety measures taken to prevent these diseases from spreading and ultimately avoid a worldwide epidemic. Finally, some recommendations are highlighted that may contribute to the prevention and control of infectious diseases in Saudi Arabia during the Hajj season.
- Keywords
- Hajj; Disease; Communicable Diseases; Pilgrims; Risk Factors; Saudi Arabia
- StartPage
- 38
- EndPage
- 44
- Doi
- 10.5963/PHF0404002