VZCZCXRO3780
PP RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDIR
DE RUEHRH #0959 2031507
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 221507Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1262
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO PRIORITY 2735
RUEHMS/AMEMBASSY MUSCAT PRIORITY 0027
RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS PRIORITY 1398
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA PRIORITY
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC PRIORITY

UNCLAS RIYADH 000959 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARP (HARRIS) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL TBIO KFLU CASC ASEC BEXP SA
SUBJECT: SAUDI H1N1 UPDATE: UMRAH RETURNEE DIES IN EGYPT, 
REDUCED TRAVEL BOOKINGS, 294 CASES 
 
REF: CAIRO 1216 
 
¶1. (SBU) The number of H1N1 cases in the Kingdom has risen to 
294, and the first fatality was reported on July 19.  An 
Umrah pilgrim with a pre-existing heart ailment died of H1N1 
reportedly after becoming ill while on Umrah pilgrimage in 
the Kingdom.  The patient, a 25 year old Egyptian woman, 
reportedly developed flu symptoms on July 11 and did not 
respond to treatment in Saudi Arabia.  Egypt subsequently 
advised that pregnant women, children, the elderly, and 
anyone with chronic illnesses should postpone their Hajj and 
Umrah pilgrimages.  Iran and Oman have issued similar 
warnings.  We have been unable to confirm reports that 
Tunisia is suspending Umrah pilgrimages completely. 
According to press reports, Egypt's top cleric, Sheikh Ali 
Gomaa, said he would follow World Health Organization (WHO) 
advice regarding the issuance of a fatwa barring Egyptians 
from making the pilgrimage (which appears to be a change in 
position from his previous message reported reftel). 
 
¶2. (SBU) Air traffic from Saudi Arabia to the United States 
and Europe reportedly dropped due to concerns about the H1N1 
outbreak.  The BMI country manager told Econoff that bookings 
on the airline had fallen because of these concerns, noting 
that Saudis were delaying or canceling travel plans to Europe 
due to reports of H1N1 infection there.  Several airline 
officials and one travel agency reported a surge in bookings 
on flights to East Asian countries, which Saudi travelers 
apparently see as a safer alternative. 
ERDMAN