Saeed Al-Khotani Saudi Gazette RIYADH – The National Committee for Contagious Diseases discussed here on Sunday the measures being taken to safeguard the health of citizens, expatriates and pilgrims this Haj season. Deputy Minister of Health for Health Affairs Dr. Mansour Al-Hawasi chaired the meeting of the National Committee for Contagious Diseases. It reiterated the conditions and guidelines set for pilgrims, urging those above 65 years of age, with chronic diseases and with immune deficiency, malignancy and terminal illnesses, pregnant women and children under 12 years of age to postpone Haj for their own safety. The advisory comes in the wake of the MERS-coronavirus infection which has claimed the lives of 47 people in the Kingdom so far. The committee reviewed the latest developments relating to coronavirus and reviewed scientific research on the virus. To curb the spread of respiratory infectious disease, the Ministry of Health advised all intending pilgrims to comply with common public health guidelines. The ministry recommended that international pilgrims as well the Kingdom's residents planning to perform Haj should be vaccinated against seasonal influenza. It also said that in accordance with the International Health Regulations 2005, all travelers arriving from countries or areas at risk of yellow fever must present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate showing that the person was vaccinated at least 10 days before arrival. All travelers arriving from polio-endemic countries should receive a dose of oral polio vaccine.
