Annually, millions of Muslims embark on a religious pilgrimage called the "Hajj" to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. The mass migration during the Hajj is unparalleled in scale, and pilgrims face numerous Health hazards. The extreme congestion of people and vehicles during this time amplifies health risks, such as those from infectious diseases, that vary each year. Since the Hajj is dictated by the lunar calendar, which is shorter than the Gregorian calendar, it presents public-health policy planners with a moving target, demanding constant preparedness. We review the communicable and non-communicable hazards that pilgrims face. With the rise in global travel, preventing disease transmission has become paramount to avoid the spread of infectious diseases, including SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), avian influenza, and haemorrhagic fever. We examine the response of clinicians, the Saudi Ministry of Health, and Hajj authorities to these unique problems, and list health recommendations for prospective pilgrims.
Related ArticlesThe Hajj: communicable and non-communicable health hazards and current guidance for pilgrims.Euro Surveill. 2010
The Hajj: communicable and non-communicable health hazards and current guidance for pilgrims.
Memish ZA. Euro Surveill. 2010 Sep 30; 15(39):19671. Epub 2010 Sep 30.
Travel epidemiology: the Saudi perspective.Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2003
Travel epidemiology: the Saudi perspective.
Memish ZA, Venkatesh S, Ahmed QA. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2003 Feb; 21(2):96-101.
Common health hazards in French pilgrims during the Hajj of 2007: a prospective cohort study.J Travel Med. 2009
Common health hazards in French pilgrims during the Hajj of 2007: a prospective cohort study.
Gautret P, Soula G, Delmont J, Parola P, Brouqui P. J Travel Med. 2009 Nov-Dec; 16(6):377-81.
Review Establishment of public health security in Saudi Arabia for the 2009 Hajj in response to pandemic influenza A H1N1.Lancet. 2009
Review Establishment of public health security in Saudi Arabia for the 2009 Hajj in response to pandemic influenza A H1N1.
Memish ZA, McNabb SJ, Mahoney F, Alrabiah F, Marano N, Ahmed QA, Mahjour J, Hajjeh RA, Formenty P, Harmanci FH, et al. Lancet. 2009 Nov 21; 374(9703):1786-91. Epub 2009 Nov 14.
Review Dermatologic challenges of pilgrimage.Clin Dermatol. 2008
Review Dermatologic challenges of pilgrimage.
Mimesh SA, Al-Khenaizan S, Memish ZA. Clin Dermatol. 2008 Jan-Feb; 26(1):52-61.
Trends in Prevalent Injuries among Iranian Pilgrims in Hajj.Iran J Public Health. 2011
Trends in Prevalent Injuries among Iranian Pilgrims in Hajj.
Razavi S, Ardakani HZ, Rajai S, Hollisaz M, Sadeghipoor H, Farshad A, Shojaeezadeh D, Khodai G. Iran J Public Health. 2011; 40(2):110-5. Epub 2011 Jun 30.
Clinical and temporal patterns of severe pneumonia causing critical illness during Hajj.BMC Infect Dis. 2012
Clinical and temporal patterns of severe pneumonia causing critical illness during Hajj.
Mandourah Y, Al-Radi A, Ocheltree AH, Ocheltree SR, Fowler RA. BMC Infect Dis. 2012 May 16; 12:117. Epub 2012 May 16.
Influenza and respiratory syncytial virus infections in British Hajj pilgrims.Emerg Health Threats J. 2008
Influenza and respiratory syncytial virus infections in British Hajj pilgrims.
Rashid H, Shafi S, Booy R, El Bashir H, Ali K, Zambon M, Memish Z, Ellis J, Coen P, Haworth E. Emerg Health Threats J. 2008; 1:e2. Epub 2008 Feb 29.
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