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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 114494 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CASC AMED AMGT TBIO KFLU SARB
SUBJECT: TRAVEL ALERT - THE HAJJ 
 
STATE 00114494  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1. The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the 
latest information on the 2009-H1N1 influenza (also 
referred to as novel H1N1 or swine flu) pandemic and 
preparations for the Hajj.  Although most people who have 
become ill with 2009-H1N1 influenza have recovered 
without requiring medical treatment, young children and 
people with certain predisposing conditions such as 
pregnancy or asthma are at increased risk of severe 
morbidity and mortality.  The Government of the Kingdom 
of Saudi Arabia has issued guidelines for potential 
travelers for the upcoming Hajj, which begins in late 
November 2009.  This Travel Alert expires on December 15. 
 
¶2. The recent worldwide H1N1 pandemic, combined with the 
Southern Hemisphere's regular influenza season, may 
impact this year's annual Hajj pilgrimage (which is to 
begin in late November 2009), when approximately three 
million Muslim pilgrims from all over the world will 
gather in Saudi Arabia. 
 
¶3. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
(CDC) has issued recommendations for travelers on the 
Hajj. (http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/content/id/2434. aspx). 
For influenza, these recommendations include: 
-- routine vaccination against the seasonal influenza at 
least 2 weeks before traveling; 
-- vaccination against influenza A (H1N1) 2009 (when 
available and traveler is at high risk for flu 
complications); 
-- vaccination for meningococcal disease (quadrivalent). 
The CDC recommends the following vaccinations as well: 
o       Routine vaccinations (such as MMR, tetanus, 
diphtheria, pertussis) 
o       Polio 
o       Hepatitis A 
o       Hepatitis B 
o       Typhoid 
 
For more information on general health issues when 
traveling to Saudi Arabia during the Hajj and Umrah, 
please see the CDC's website at: 
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/content/id/2434.a spx 
 
¶4. The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is 
actively preparing to meet this public health challenge 
by implementing a number of measures, including increased 
health screening at ports of entry and increased capacity 
of temporary quarantine facilities. 
 
¶5. U.S. travelers also should be aware of these 
additional guidelines from the Government of the Kingdom 
of Saudi Arabia: 
-- Pilgrims who decide to travel to Saudi Arabia are 
advised to receive seasonal influenza vaccine at least 
two weeks before they travel to Mecca and Medina. 
-- To limit the spread of 2009 H1N1 flu and to reduce the 
risk of flu exposure for people at increased risk of flu 
complications, pilgrims should be at least 12 years old 
and not over 65 years of age. 
-- Pilgrims should refrain from performing Umrah or the 
Hajj if they have chronic diseases such as heart, liver, 
or kidney diseases, complications of diabetes, obesity, 
or any other diseases or conditions that affect a 
person's overall health and immunity. 
--Pilgrims should be vaccinated against the 2009 
influenza A (H1N1) vaccine when it becomes available. 
 
¶6. For more information on how to prepare for a severe 
pandemic, please see the State Department's "Pandemic 
Influenza Fact Sheet" and "Options During a Pandemic" 
 
STATE 00114494  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
flyer located on www.travel.state.gov.  Detailed 
information about 2009-H1N1 influenza can be found on the 
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website 
at  http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/, the U.S. Government 
influenza website at http://www.flu.gov, and the World 
Health Organization website at 
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/in dex.html. 
 
¶7. U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to register 
with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through 
the Department of State's travel registration website 
at http://travel.state.gov.  By registering, American 
citizens can receive the Embassy's most recent 
security and safety updates during their trips. 
Registration also ensures that U.S. citizens can be 
reached should an emergency arise either abroad or at 
home.  While consular officers will do their utmost to 
assist Americans in a crisis, travelers always should 
be aware that local authorities bear primary 
responsibility for the welfare of people living or 
traveling in their jurisdictions. 
 
¶8. The Department of State shares credible threat 
information through its Consular Information Program 
documents, available on the Internet at 
http://travel.state.gov. In addition to information on 
the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information 
on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll 
free in the United States and Canada or, for callers 
outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line 
at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 
a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday 
(except U.S. federal holidays). 
CLINTON