Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Swine Flu: Saudi Arabia will not bar pilgrims because of swine flu - but will screen for HIV

DPA reports Saudi Arabia will not bar pilgrims from countries that have reported cases of swine flu in the coming Umrah, or "minor pilgrimage" season, its aviation authority said Tuesday.

Instead, the aviation authority said in a statement posted to its website, it would screen all would-be pilgrims for HIV infection.

Mohammed Nur Rahimi, the head of the authority, said the kingdom would follow advice from the World Health Organisation not to close airports, but rather to impose "strict preventative measures at airports".

Saudi Health Minister Abdullah al-Rabia on Sunday confirmed the kingdom had seen no cases of swine flu. He said the government would study what measures Gulf countries could take to prevent an outbreak of the virus in the region.
Published by Mike Hitchen, Mike Hitchen Consulting
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