Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RIYADH979
2009-07-29 13:44:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:
SAUDI H1N1 UPDATE: FIRST DEATH, ARAB HEALTH
how-toVZCZCXRO9273 PP RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDIR DE RUEHRH #0979 2101344 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 291344Z JUL 09 FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1290 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO PRIORITY 2737 RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA PRIORITY RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS RIYADH 000979
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP (HARRIS)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL TBIO KFLU CASC ASEC BEXP SA
SUBJECT: SAUDI H1N1 UPDATE: FIRST DEATH, ARAB HEALTH
MINISTERS BAN VULNERABLE GROUPS FROM HAJJ
UNCLAS RIYADH 000979
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP (HARRIS)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL TBIO KFLU CASC ASEC BEXP SA
SUBJECT: SAUDI H1N1 UPDATE: FIRST DEATH, ARAB HEALTH
MINISTERS BAN VULNERABLE GROUPS FROM HAJJ
1. (SBU) The Ministry of Health reported Saudi Arabia's first
H1N1 death July 27. Saleh Al-Shehri, a 30 year old Saudi
man, died in Dammam reportedly after contracting H1N1 from an
infected individual he had been visiting frequently.
Al-Shehri's family accused the private hospital of negligence
for failing to correctly diagnose and treat the patient in
time. The Ministry reportedly has formed a team to investige
Al-Shehri's death.
2. (SBU) At a special session of the Regional Committee for
the World Health Organization (WHO) in Cairo July 22, Arab
health ministers agreed to restrict those over 65, under 12,
and the chronically sick from performing this year's Hajj due
to fears over the spread of H1N1. The WHO said the decision
must be ratified by the health ministers' governments,
including Saudi Arabia, though WHO regional director Hussein
Gezairi did not anticipate opposition. When asked if there
would be fewer worshippers at this year's Hajj due to the
restrictions, Saudi Health Minister al-Rabeeah reportedly
said "probably." The Ministry spokesman Khaled Marghlani
said July 26 that Riyadh was likely to decide to impose the
restriction, and that the Ministry would press for pilgrims
to be vaccinated against H1N1 if such a vaccination became
available before the Hajj. Indonesia is reportedly sending
the same number of pilgrims to the Hajj this year as last
year, but is considering excluding vulnerable populations.
3. (SBU) Comment: This change in policy, if implemented, may
cause popular discontent in countries with large Muslim
populations since elderly pilgrims are heavily represented at
what for many Muslims is a once in a lifetime experience.
RUNDELL
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP (HARRIS)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL TBIO KFLU CASC ASEC BEXP SA
SUBJECT: SAUDI H1N1 UPDATE: FIRST DEATH, ARAB HEALTH
MINISTERS BAN VULNERABLE GROUPS FROM HAJJ
1. (SBU) The Ministry of Health reported Saudi Arabia's first
H1N1 death July 27. Saleh Al-Shehri, a 30 year old Saudi
man, died in Dammam reportedly after contracting H1N1 from an
infected individual he had been visiting frequently.
Al-Shehri's family accused the private hospital of negligence
for failing to correctly diagnose and treat the patient in
time. The Ministry reportedly has formed a team to investige
Al-Shehri's death.
2. (SBU) At a special session of the Regional Committee for
the World Health Organization (WHO) in Cairo July 22, Arab
health ministers agreed to restrict those over 65, under 12,
and the chronically sick from performing this year's Hajj due
to fears over the spread of H1N1. The WHO said the decision
must be ratified by the health ministers' governments,
including Saudi Arabia, though WHO regional director Hussein
Gezairi did not anticipate opposition. When asked if there
would be fewer worshippers at this year's Hajj due to the
restrictions, Saudi Health Minister al-Rabeeah reportedly
said "probably." The Ministry spokesman Khaled Marghlani
said July 26 that Riyadh was likely to decide to impose the
restriction, and that the Ministry would press for pilgrims
to be vaccinated against H1N1 if such a vaccination became
available before the Hajj. Indonesia is reportedly sending
the same number of pilgrims to the Hajj this year as last
year, but is considering excluding vulnerable populations.
3. (SBU) Comment: This change in policy, if implemented, may
cause popular discontent in countries with large Muslim
populations since elderly pilgrims are heavily represented at
what for many Muslims is a once in a lifetime experience.
RUNDELL