RP Ramadan pilgrims told to follow rules vs A(H1N1)

MANILA, Philippines - The Saudi government has tightened up its enforcement of rules for the prevention of A(H1N1) flu in time for the holy month of Ramadan.

A report from the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah said the Saudi government expects nearly three million pilgrims to visit the Holy Land during Ramadan.

"Post reported that the Saudi government has strictly enforced World Health Organization rules on prevention of A(H1N1) in anticipation of possible outbreak of A(H1N1) in Saudi’s holy sites during the month of Ramadan with the expected arrival of close to three million pilgrims from around the world," it said on the Department of Foreign Affairs website.

A comprehensive information campaign about the virus was launched, it added.

For this year, Ramadan is expected to start in the second half of August and will continue for 30 days.

Earlier, a Filipino nurse confirmed with A(H1N1) in Saudi Arabia. [See: Pinay nurse is first case of A(H1N1) in KSA]

The infected Filipino nurse, who is working at Riyadh’s King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, has since recovered. [See: Pinay nurse infected with AH1N1 recovering in KSA]

Also, the Saudi Ministry of Health requested passengers who flew with the Filipino nurse infected with A(H1N1) to contact its hotlines to ensure they are not carrying the virus.

Last year, about 4,000 Filipino-Muslims participated in the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. The Haj is the largest annual pilgrimage in the world and is the fifth pillar of Islam, an obligation that must be carried out at least once in an Islam devotee's lifetime if he or she can afford it and is able to do so.

In 2007, among the prominent Filipino pilgrims were former Batangas Gov. Antonio Leviste and her more famous equestrienne daughter Toni; Reps. Mujib Hataman of the Anak Mindanao party-list group and Yusuf H. Jikiri of the 1st district of Sulu; Govs. Andal Ampatuan of Maguindanao, Sakur Tan of Sulu, and Sadikul A. Sahali of Tawi-Tawi. - GMANews.TV

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