Within the framework of the unremitting endeavors of the Ministry of Health (MOH) to follow up the global epidemiological developments of infectious diseases, and given the recent outbreak of polio in Somalia and Kenya, the Ministry has updated its health requirements to be met by Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. Both Somalia and Kenya have been added to the polio-stricken countries. This entails requiring those hailing from these countries submitting a certificate indicating that they had taken anti-polio vaccination six weeks before coming to the Kingdom. Another dose of the anti-polio vaccine shall be given to them on arrival to the Kingdom, regardless of their age.
It is worth mentioning that the MOH had issued Health Requirements to Be Met by 1434-Hajj and Umrah Pilgrims, and informed stakeholders to circulate those requirements on the Saudi embassies, to be followedby all those willing to get Hajj and Umrah visas.
The Ministry has made it clear that it keeps abreast of the epidemiological developments of diseases, and all relevant parties will be informed of any modification introduced to the requirements. This year's health requirements have been centered on certain diseases, namely: yellow fever, meningitis, polio, and seasonal influenza.
The MOH, besides, called upon the health authorities of the countries sending pilgrims to the Kingdom to educate them about infectious diseases, their types, symptoms, ways of transmission, complications and ways of prevention. It also affirmed that foodstuffs brought by Hajj or Umrah pilgrims in their luggage will not be allowed in, unless well canned, sealed, can be easily opened, and in quantities adequate only for traveling.
In case of any health contingency stirring global concern, or the incidence of outbreak of diseases included in the international disease lists in any of the countries from whence Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, the Ministry recommended that the Kingdom's health authorities may take any addition precautionary actions towards them (even though unlisted within the aforementioned requirements). That is to be conducted instantly in coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO), with the purpose of avoiding the spread of infection amongst Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, and preventing transmission to their countries.
It is noteworthy that the Ministry of Health has published these requirements on the
Hajj & Umrah Website.