DOHA: Although no cases of the new SARS-like respiratory virus has been reported from Saudi Arabia during the Haj pilgrimage, at least one pilgrim from Qatar was quarantined following suspicions about a possible infection with the dreaded virus.
The pilgrim developed fever and was isolated in Mina by the Qatari medical team, a local Arabic daily reported yesterday quoting a senior Qatari official. The patient was later discharged and sent back to his group, after laboratory tests confirmed that he was free from the suspected illness.
The Saudi health ministry said yesterday that no epidemic or infectious diseases were reported during the pilgrimage.
The Saudi authorities had taken special precautions after a Saudi national died earlier this year having been hit by the new virus belonging to the deadly SARS family and a Qatari citizen contracted the illness during a recent visit to Saudi Arabia.
The medical team accompanying the Qatari Haj delegation had also taken special care to meet any possible outbreak or other emergencies.
A total of 1,000 pilgrims visited the clinics set up by the Qatari medial team at the holy sites including Mina, Muzdalifa and Arafat, said its head Dr Khalid Abdul Hadi. Most of the patients suffered from cold, influenza and fatigue. The number of cases this year were less compared to last year, he added.
Only two patients were hospitalized, one a diabetic patient and the other affected by heat exhaustion. They were discharged later after treatment. Several pilgrims from other countries also benefitted from the services provided by the Qatari medical team, added the official.
A senior official of Qatar’s Haj Committee, meanwhile, said that the pilgrims from Qatar faced the least difficulties during this year’s pilgrimage. There were no serious illnesses reported among the pilgrims.
A major problem encountered by the pilgrims was the delays in the introduced train service introduced last year linking Arafat with Muzadalifa and Muzdalifa with the Jamarahs.
More taxis
The Doha International Airport and the Mowasalat have made all arrangements to receive the returning pilgrims.
Mowasalat has deployed additional taxis and limousines at the Doha International Airport to transport Haj pilgrims who are returning home.
The company also announced a pre-booking system to avoid long queue outside the arrival lounge, Al Sharq reported. The first batch of Haj pilgrims arrived back yesterday.
The Peninsula
