Swine Flu Fears at the Haji

ABC's Clark Bentson reports from Rome:

While the debate continues in the United States on who should be prioritized for the H1N1 innoculations, the arrival of the first batches of the new vaccine sometime in September may not be in time to further exacerbate the global health pandemic.

The largest annual gathering of humans in the world is about to begin. Three million people more than 160 countries in the world are preparing for the Haji and Umrah pilgrimages, a requirement for all Muslims who are physically able to visit their holy shrines in Mecca, Saudi Arabia at least once in their life time.

During their participation at the Hajj, it is widely feared that the large crowds of pilgrims could potentially expose each other to the virus.

The potential for the spread of the H1N1 virus is serious concern not only for Saudi officials who must deal with it locally, but for every Health Ministry of every country from which pilgrims come from. After completing their religious rites, the participants board crowded flight homes; possibly spreading the disease even more rapidly to every corner of the planet -- including to the United States. It is expected that up to 10,000 Americans will be part of this year’s pilgrimage.

Complicating matters, Saudi officials have reported their first deaths from the H1N1 flu this past week, and Indonesian officials have confirmed a death from a woman who recently returned from Mecca. Saudi Arabia has already diagnosed more than 230 cases of the H1N1 virus this year and is bracing for more. The country has enacted a national plan to combat a pandemic, and the plan "states clearly the steps to be followed to trace any suspect or disease contractor," according to a Saudi Health Ministry press release.

The two key periods of concern are during Ramadan when many people make their Umrah pilgrimage. The Umrah rites can be made at any time of the year, but are commonly done during Ramadan which this year is in August. The Hajj, which is when the vast majority of pilgrims travel to fulfill their obligations, is in November this year.

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