Pilgrims urged to take preventative measures (From Asian Image)

Pilgrims urged to take preventative measures

10:01am Thursday 6th November 2008

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British pilgrims going on the annual Hajj are being urged to take preventative measures against diseases.

Lord Philip Hunt OBE, Government Minister was addressing a Pre Hajj Health & Safety seminar organised by The Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK in Birmingham to raise awareness of health and safety issues amongst Hajj pilgrims.

Lord Ahmed of Rotherham was given the Meningitis Vaccination in front of prospective pilgrims to highlight the importance of being vaccinated against Meningitis.

He also urged the prospective Hajj pilgrims “that they must make sure they get vaccinated against Meningitis before leaving for Hajj.”

Senior doctors from ABH, Dr Rashid Bhatti and Dr Sayed Raza Hussain have warned all prospective pilgrims that they should safeguard against the additional risks to their health such as Meningitis, Hepatitis and other communicable diseases due to the over crowding at the ceremonies, accommodation sites and public transport.

Dr Sayed Raza Hussain said, “The communicable diseases can be transmitted through direct person-to-person contact with droplets of nasal or throat secretions of infected individuals.

"Close and prolonged contact (e.g. sneezing and coughing on someone, etc.) facilitates the spread of infection.

"The most common symptoms specifically for meningitis are stiff neck, high fever, and sensitivity to light, confusion, headaches and vomiting.

"Therefore, it is vital that all travellers must get ‘quadrivalent meningococcal’ vaccine (ACWY vac) before leaving for Saudi Arabia.

"A valid certificate for the Meningitis vaccine from your doctor is compulsory in order to obtain a visa from the Saudi Embassy.”

Dr Rashid Bhatti advised pilgrims “Some barbers around the Holy places pose a risk of spreading diseases such as Hepatitis and other blood-borne pathogens by using the same razors repeatedly.” He also warned pilgrims to be “aware of the risk of using the services provided by these barbers and must insist that the barbers use disposable razors to shave.”

A large number of pilgrims were in attendance along with Steve McCabe MP, John Hemming MP, Lord Mayor of Birmingham, representatives from various Government departments and community dignitaries from all walks of life.

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