JEDDAH: A Ministry of Health report has shown that 76 Arab, Asian and African countries which have pilgrims coming for Haj are infected with epidemic diseases. Okaz/Saudi Gazette has a copy of the report. The authorities in the Kingdom have asked these countries to fumigate the planes carrying the pilgrims to ensure that all disease-carrying insects are killed. The authorities have also banned the entry of chilled and frozen foodstuffs which pilgrims usually bring with them. There has been concern about Dengue Fever, hemorrhagic fever and cholera which are widely prevalent in Asia. As a precautionary measure, the authorities have made it mandatory for all pilgrims from these countries to be vaccinated back home against meningitis, yellow fever and polio. The health centers at the Pilgrims' City in Jeddah have received the first batch of 54,000 pilgrims; and staff has followed all the conditions set by the Ministry of Health. Over 600 doctors and medical staff at the centers have checked the pilgrims to ensure they all have vaccination certificates. The ministry also made it imperative for all plane crews to be inoculated against cholera.
