JEDDAH: Pilgrims should take flu shots to counter the highly contagious flu virus during this year's Haj, according to two consultant doctors in epidemic diseases. They said that flu was the most common disease encountered by medical personnel during Haj. This was because of the wide variety of strains which spreads easily among the many millions of people gathered together from all over the world, said Dr. Bahajt Abdullah, Consultant of Epidemic and Communicable Diseases at the Military Hospital in Tabuk. He said it was important for pilgrims to get inoculated against the virus. He said the vaccine reduces the symptoms of seasonal flu and immunizes a person against three major strains of the virus. Once people are vaccinated they develop immunity against other strains, he added. Abdullah urged pilgrims to use tissues when they sneeze or cough because the virus spreads rapidly in the air. They should also wash their hands thoroughly with disinfectants after shaking hands with anyone. Dr. Khaled Obaid Bawkid, Family and Community Medicine Consultant, stressed the importance of inoculating elderly pilgrims, those suffering from cardiac diseases and diabetic pilgrims.
