Saudi Arabia announces Muslim pilgrimage’s first 4 swine flu deaths

November 7th, 2009 more images more imagesSaudi says swine flu shots advised for pilgrimsRIYADH, Saudi Arabia — The Saudi health minister said Saturday that the kingdom will not ban anyone considered high risk for swine flu from performing the hajj pilgrimage this year. Abdullah al-Rabeeah said it is the responsibility of individual countries to enforce recommendations by international health experts that children, the elderly and pregnant women forgo this year's pilgrimage.

November 7th, 2009 more images more images Saudi won't bar hajj pilgrims over swine flu fears RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — The Saudi health minister said Saturday that the kingdom will not bar anyone considered high-risk for swine flu from performing the hajj pilgrimage this year, though he urged countries where pilgrims set out from to take precautions. The hajj, required of all able-bodied Muslims at least once in their lifetime, has become a concern for world health officials because the density of pilgrims — with shoulder-to-shoulder contact as they pray — has raised fears of a massive spread of swine flu.

October 29th, 2009 more images more imagesMecca-bound pilgrims prompt swine flu precautionsWASHINGTON — Some of the millions who travel to Saudi Arabia next month for the annual hajj will be greeted with face masks, hand sanitizer and fever checks as health officials strive to stem the spread of swine flu during the world's largest pilgrimage. The Saudi health ministry, aided by the U.S.

October 27th, 2009 more images more imagesChina reports 3rd confirmed swine flu deathBEIJING — Chinese officials moved to give swine flu vaccinations to thousands of Muslims making a pilgrimage to Mecca in the coming days as health authorities reported the mainland's third death from the illness. China has acted aggressively to detect and contain swine flu cases after being accused of failing to move quickly enough to stop the 2003 outbreak of SARS.

October 23rd, 2009 US swine flu deaths surpass 1,000ATLANTA — Federal health officials say swine flu is more widespread now than it's ever been. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there as much illness now as the winter peak of regular flu seasons.

October 6th, 2009 TUNIS/CAIRO - Tunisians will not be allowed to travel to Saudi Arabia for the Muslim pilgrimage or Haj because of fears of the H1N1 virus, known also as swine flu, the government announced Tuesday. No other country has yet said it would prevent its citizens from making the pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia in late November for fear they might contract the virus.

October 6th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The external affairs ministry has issued an advisory for Haj pilgrims for prevention of H1N1 pandemic flu during the annual pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. The advisory suggests that pilgrims should not shake hands or hug in greeting during the Haj, unless it is a mandatory religious activity.

October 3rd, 2009 NEW DELHI - Only those with valid flu vaccination certificates will be permitted to go on the Haj, Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor said Saturday. He also said those with swine flu symptoms may not be allowed to leave the country for the Haj.

September 26th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Five more swine flu deaths - four in Karnataka and one in Andhra Pradesh - were reported Saturday, taking India's toll due to the influenza A (H1N1) virus to 290, health authorities said here. Three more suspected swine flu deaths have been reported from Andhra Pradesh, but officials said they were awaiting the laboratory reports for confirmation.

September 26th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Saudi Arabia Saturday recommended those at a high risk of catching swine flu, like children, pregnant women and people suffering from chronic ailments, to avoid Haj pilgrimage and help curb the spread of the pandemic. Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, recommends that elderly, pregnant women, people with chronic diseases and children should postpone the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages this year for their own safety, the advisory from Saudi Arabia said.

September 8th, 2009 ABU DHABI - Two more deaths due to the influenza A (H1N1), also known as swine flu, have been reported in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), WAM news agency reported Tuesday. An 75-year-old man and an eight-month-old infant died from the disease Monday, the ministry of health said.

September 7th, 2009 DUBAI - As a swine flu epidemic rages globally, Saudi Arabia has advised all pilgrims traveling for the Haj to vaccinate themselves against seasonal human influenza. The Ministry of Health advises all pilgrims, whether arriving from outside or inside the Kingdom, to obtain the seasonal human influenza vaccine prior to their departure to perform Haj or Omrah rituals, especially those who are more exposed to the disease, such as the elderly and people suffering from chronic respiratory disorders, diabetes, or kidney, liver, or heart failure, a posting on its website said.

September 6th, 2009 PANAJI - Goa recorded its first swine flu death Sunday after a 28-year-old woman succumbed to the deadly H1N1 virus, officials said. The victim, a resident of Khola in Canacona in South Goa and undergoing treatment at a private clinic in Margao, about 30 km from here, was even given a double dose of Tamiflu after swine flu was confirmed on Aug 25 but to no avail, the state's nodal officer for swine flu Jose de Sa told IANS.

September 4th, 2009 BANGALORE - Four more swine flu deaths were reported in Karnataka on Friday, taking the H1N1 virus toll to 35 in the state. According to sources, all the four deaths occurred Bangalore.

September 2nd, 2009 NEW DELHI - The total number of swine flu deaths in India has crossed 100, according to Naresh Dayal, Secretary of the Central Health Ministry. Taking to reporters here on Tuesday, Dayal, said, "Total number of deaths has crossed century.