Travel Weekly

Call to safeguard against communicable diseases

October 10 - 16, 2012
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Hajj pilgrims from around the world are being issued a last-minute warning by health experts to safeguard their well-being against the risk of communicable diseases.

Illnesses can spread due to overcrowding at ceremonies, accommodation sites and public transport.

The communicable diseases such as meningitis and hepatitis can be transmitted through direct person-to-person contact with droplets of nasal or throat secretions of infected individuals. Close and prolonged contact (such as sneezing and coughing on someone or sharing an affected person’s used utensil) facilitates the spread of infection.

The Association of British Hujjaj (pilgrims) UK health experts this week specifically urged pilgrims with diabetes about the high risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose) due to the extremely excessive physical activities being undertaken amongst a large, crowded environment.

They need to protect themselves from the sun, dehydration, exhaustion, foot problems, respiratory and bronchial illness and they should wear special socks to avoid feet injuries and frictions.

Hajj pilgrims on medication should take an adequate supply of medicines with them, accompanied by their doctor’s note describing the medicine and their medical history, it urged.

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. The health experts warned that pilgrims must ensure the barbers use disposable razors to shave.

The association said in a statement: “Protect yourself and your family; don’t ruin your journey with illnesses. Make the most out of this lifetime experience.”







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