Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STATE114494
2009-11-06 00:44:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:
TRAVEL ALERT - THE HAJJ
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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
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
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