This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/8372378.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Four on Hajj killed by swine flu | Four on Hajj killed by swine flu |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Four pilgrims have died of swine flu as they take part in this year's annual Mecca pilgrimage, Saudi officials say. | Four pilgrims have died of swine flu as they take part in this year's annual Mecca pilgrimage, Saudi officials say. |
| Three of the victims - a woman from Morocco and men from Sudan and India - were in their seventies. The fourth was a 17-year-old girl from Nigeria. | Three of the victims - a woman from Morocco and men from Sudan and India - were in their seventies. The fourth was a 17-year-old girl from Nigeria. |
| The Health Ministry said none of the four foreign victims had been vaccinated against the H1N1 virus. | The Health Ministry said none of the four foreign victims had been vaccinated against the H1N1 virus. |
| The latest figures from the World Health Organization show the virus has so far killed 6,750 people worldwide. | The latest figures from the World Health Organization show the virus has so far killed 6,750 people worldwide. |
| An official statement released by the ministry said all had underlying health problems, including cancer and respiratory illness, AFP news agency reported. | An official statement released by the ministry said all had underlying health problems, including cancer and respiratory illness, AFP news agency reported. |
| Three of the victims died in Medina and one in Mecca. | Three of the victims died in Medina and one in Mecca. |
| Precautions | Precautions |
| Up to three million Muslims from around the world take part in the holy pilgrimage every year, but health officials have expressed fears that it could provide a breeding ground for the virus. | Up to three million Muslims from around the world take part in the holy pilgrimage every year, but health officials have expressed fears that it could provide a breeding ground for the virus. |
| Authorities had tried to prepare for any outbreaks by installing thermal cameras at airports and sea terminals, deploying 15,000 additional health workers and ensuring hundreds of extra beds were available. | |
| Thousands of pilgrims are already in Saudi Arabia for Hajj | Thousands of pilgrims are already in Saudi Arabia for Hajj |
| Health ministry spokesman Dr Khaled Marghlani told AFP that 16 other people had diagnosed with swine flu and four remain in hospital in "critical condition". | Health ministry spokesman Dr Khaled Marghlani told AFP that 16 other people had diagnosed with swine flu and four remain in hospital in "critical condition". |
| He added 12 others had recovered following treatment. | He added 12 others had recovered following treatment. |
| The Saudi government has said all pilgrims need a certificate of vaccination before they can apply for a visa. | The Saudi government has said all pilgrims need a certificate of vaccination before they can apply for a visa. |
| In September, the Egyptian authorities barred hundreds of Muslim pilgrims in Cairo from travelling to Mecca because of fears about the virus. | In September, the Egyptian authorities barred hundreds of Muslim pilgrims in Cairo from travelling to Mecca because of fears about the virus. |
| In July, an Egyptian woman returning from the lesser Umrah pilgrimage became the first person to die of swine flu in the Middle East and Africa. | In July, an Egyptian woman returning from the lesser Umrah pilgrimage became the first person to die of swine flu in the Middle East and Africa. |
| Performing the Hajj is incumbent upon all Muslims who have the means to make the journey to Mecca. | Performing the Hajj is incumbent upon all Muslims who have the means to make the journey to Mecca. |
| Iran banned all pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia during Ramadan in an attempt to contain the spread of the virus. | Iran banned all pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia during Ramadan in an attempt to contain the spread of the virus. |