A general physician, Dr. Fuad Siraj, was dispatched to Mina for the treatment of pilgrims during the Haj season. He feels that the camping out of pilgrims can lead to the spread of infectious diseases and complains of the lack of public awareness of this health problem. “Camping out creates an ideal environment for the spread of endemic diseases, especially influenza. Pilgrims also contribute to the spread of diseases by unhealthy practices, such as: littering, improperly discarding unwanted food, performing Haj without receiving the required immunizations, and camping out near garbage bins,” Dr. Siraj told Al-Madina newspaper. “This year I have treated numerous cases of the flu. Many unregistered pilgrims contracted weather-related illnesses because they had no proper tents to ward off the heat during the day or the cold winds at night. In addition, I diagnosed and treated many cases of food poisoning,” he added. __
