More than half a million pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj, or pilgrimage, the Saudi authorities have announced.
While in previous years the Hajj was marked with heightened security concerns, the authorities this year are taking precautions to prevent an outbreak of infectious diseases, especially avian influenza (also known as bird flu).
Saudi Health Minister Dr. Hamad Bin ‘Abdallah Al-Mani’ said the health authorities have checked some 622,000 pilgrims who have arrived so far in the kingdom, but he made no specific mention of bird flu, Reuters reported.
The Hajj will take place in the second week of January. It is one of the most important events in the Muslim calendar, bringing together some 2.5 million Muslims from all over the world to Mecca, the birthplace of Islam.
The human congestion, which regularly characterizes the Hajj and has even caused deaths in previous pilgrimages, is amplifying concerns of an outbreak.
Many of the pilgrims are arriving from Asian countries where people have contracted H5N1, a deadly form of bird flu.
Al-Mani’ said pilgrims found to be carrying an infectious disease will be sent back to their country immediately.
The kingdom is preparing its hospitals, health centers and ambulances and is staffing all border crossings with qualified health employees.
The kingdom has so far spent some $6.7 million on disease prevention measures ahead of the Hajj, with a special focus on workers in the poultry industry.