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http://news.viewlondon.co.uk/Pandemic_warning_over_Hajj_pilgrimage_18004440.html
Pandemic warning over Hajj pilgrimage
Muslim pilgrims who go on the annual Hajj pilgrimage should be vaccinated against flu, leading doctors have said today.
Experts writing in this week's edition of the British Medical Journal (BMJ) claim the measure should be taken in order to minimise the risk of a global pandemic.
Two million pilgrims are expected to attend next month's gathering in Saudi Arabia and they will come from almost every country in the world.
Such a large gathering represents a major public health risk according to the editorial in the BMJ, particularly at a time when the risk of a pandemic is thought to be high.
"From a public health perspective, such a gathering makes the possible rampant spread of the influenza virus and a global pandemic - which many experts believe is overdue - a potentially devastating prospect that has been inadequately prepared for," wrote Professor Aziz Sheikh, a professor of primary care research and development at the University of Edinburgh, and his colleagues.
The experts also argue that there is considerable overcrowding during Hajj and they cite estimates that more than one in three pilgrims will experience respiratory failure symptoms while taking part.
Flu vaccination for pilgrims with chronic illnesses is currently recommended by the Saudi government but the researchers suggest that there is evidence to suggest that many do not become immunised.
An accompanying letter in this week's journal from London-based researchers headed by consultant microbiologist Shuja Shafi highlighted this was the case, even in developed countries like the UK.
"The rate of vaccination among Muslims at risk is worryingly lower (55 per cent) than the nationwide uptake rate among the target population (70 per cent) and even lower among the residents of London," they wrote.
The experts writing in the editorial suggest that even fewer pilgrims from the developing world will be immunised and conclude that mandatory vaccination should be considered.
"Mandatory meningococcal vaccination was introduced after a meningococcal epidemic among pilgrims and their contacts," they wrote.
"As pilgrims already need to seek medical attention to obtain a meningococcal vaccination, this extra vaccination should not be too inconvenient and should be readily acceptable."
They also argued that virus surveillance to identify newly emerging strains is needed and called on the World Health Organisation the Saudi authorities to minimise the risk of the influenza virus spreading among pilgrims.
"A coherent international response will be needed to ensure that the resources and logistics are in place so that these strategies can be implemented," the researchers concluded.
Pandemic warning over Hajj pilgrimage
Muslim pilgrims who go on the annual Hajj pilgrimage should be vaccinated against flu, leading doctors have said today.
Experts writing in this week's edition of the British Medical Journal (BMJ) claim the measure should be taken in order to minimise the risk of a global pandemic.
Two million pilgrims are expected to attend next month's gathering in Saudi Arabia and they will come from almost every country in the world.
Such a large gathering represents a major public health risk according to the editorial in the BMJ, particularly at a time when the risk of a pandemic is thought to be high.
"From a public health perspective, such a gathering makes the possible rampant spread of the influenza virus and a global pandemic - which many experts believe is overdue - a potentially devastating prospect that has been inadequately prepared for," wrote Professor Aziz Sheikh, a professor of primary care research and development at the University of Edinburgh, and his colleagues.
The experts also argue that there is considerable overcrowding during Hajj and they cite estimates that more than one in three pilgrims will experience respiratory failure symptoms while taking part.
Flu vaccination for pilgrims with chronic illnesses is currently recommended by the Saudi government but the researchers suggest that there is evidence to suggest that many do not become immunised.
An accompanying letter in this week's journal from London-based researchers headed by consultant microbiologist Shuja Shafi highlighted this was the case, even in developed countries like the UK.
"The rate of vaccination among Muslims at risk is worryingly lower (55 per cent) than the nationwide uptake rate among the target population (70 per cent) and even lower among the residents of London," they wrote.
The experts writing in the editorial suggest that even fewer pilgrims from the developing world will be immunised and conclude that mandatory vaccination should be considered.
"Mandatory meningococcal vaccination was introduced after a meningococcal epidemic among pilgrims and their contacts," they wrote.
"As pilgrims already need to seek medical attention to obtain a meningococcal vaccination, this extra vaccination should not be too inconvenient and should be readily acceptable."
They also argued that virus surveillance to identify newly emerging strains is needed and called on the World Health Organisation the Saudi authorities to minimise the risk of the influenza virus spreading among pilgrims.
"A coherent international response will be needed to ensure that the resources and logistics are in place so that these strategies can be implemented," the researchers concluded.
