Health leaflets for pilgrims released

The Ministry of Health released yesterday more than 1 million brochures in five different languages spelling out this year’s health guidelines for distribution among Haj pilgrims.
According to an official from the Health Ministry, the brochures advising pilgrims of the precautionary measures against health problems have been printed in Arabic, English, French, Urdu and Bahasa Indonesia.
He added that the leaflets would inform the pilgrims on the health guidelines to be followed during their stay in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. In addition to these brochures, the ministry will also distribute leaflets containing images of what the pilgrims should do and should not do during their stay in the holy cities. Besides focusing on food poisoning, the official said this year the ministry would monitor any incidence of a coronavirus among pilgrims.
A new strain of the coronavirus has been detected in three patients recently causing the death of two of them. The virus is considered one of the etiological agents of the common cold.
The official said people should be careful when they mingle in mass gatherings. “It is advisable to wear masks in crowded places and change them frequently,” he said, adding that they should also pay special attention to personal hygiene and hand cleansing. Covering the mouth and nose while sneezing would also help prevent the spread of the disease. To prevent food poisoning, pilgrims have been asked not to keep their cooked food for more than two hours. They have also been requested to wash fruits and green leaves before consumption. “Meat and vegetables should not be washed together.” To avoid infection, pilgrims have been requested to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water or disinfectant, especially after coughing or sneezing, to maintain personal hygiene. They are advised to use napkins when coughing or sneezing to cover their mouth and nose. Personal hygiene as well as hygienic cooking, storing, transporting and serving methods are important to avoid diarrhea and vomiting, food poisoning, dysentery, typhoid and cholera. Hands should be washed before one takes one’s food. Disposable shaving kits should be used.
Wearing a mask made of cloth during various Haj activities will help prevent the spread of respiratory infections such as cold, cough, sore throat and pneumonia.
Covering the face with a towel while sleeping in congested rooms also helps prevent respiratory infections.
Diagnosed cases of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, asthma, arthritis, migraine, epilepsy, skin diseases, psychiatric illnesses and gastric ulcer should be properly controlled with appropriate treatment.
Prior to the commencement of the Haj season, the Foreign Ministry, on the advice of the Health Ministry, sent out circulars to all its embassies abroad indicating the quarantine requirements in the respective countries for the issuance of pilgrim visa.
Health Ministry spokesman Khalid Al-Mirghalani said the Kingdom had been carefully monitoring developments that are taking place throughout the world in the field of infectious diseases. He pointed out that the stipulated requirements in the new circular were in line with the World Health Organization’s requirements to control the spread of infectious diseases.