Health Problems Burden Among Thai Hajj Pilgrims During Hajj Season 2015-2019: Updated Situation of COVID-19

The Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is one of the largest annual mass gatherings in the world, and has a strong impact on international public health. This paper presents an overview from a systematic search of the published literature on health risks and services in the Hajj for 2005-2014, with the aim of providing health policy recommendations to prevent health risks. Of the 335 studies initially identified, 60 met the inclusion criteria for the review. Studies identified were diverse in methodology and focus. The results were classified into 3 main categories: communicable diseases, noncommunicable diseases and health services. Although, improvement was observed throughout the years, there are always new public health challenges in each Hajj season. There is a need to improve health management of the Hajj, particularly by strengthening international collaboration.

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As the importance of quality in health care provision is increasingly recognised, it is opportune to consider quality care as a key link between clinical and public health approaches to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in developing countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. This region has the lion's share of the global epidemic and the least resources to respond. Looking at health problems using a 'quality lens' may help bridge the gaps between clinical care and public health, the current and desired standard of care, and prevention and treatment. Quality care, with prompt diagnosis and effective treatment, of people with HIV infection is crucial for good individual health outcomes, public health outcomes (in terms of decreased HIV transmission) and societal outcomes (increased productivity and decreased costs of health provision for HIV-related care). A spotlight on quality care can bring clinicians and public health practitioners together in working towards universal access to quality HIV care and prevention - one of the greatest health challenges faced in developing countries in Africa today.

Background & objectivesThe congregation of a large number of people during Hajj seasons from different parts of the world in overcrowded conditions within a confined area for a long period of time presents many public health challenges and health risks. One of the main health problems of the crowding is ease transmission of pneumonia by air droplets. This study was aimed to determine the most common causes of bacterial pneumonia during the 2005 Hajj season and to relate the findings with clinical conditions.MethodsA total of 141 patients with suspected pneumonia from the three main tertiary care hospitals in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, were investigated during Hajj season, 2005. Sputum and serum samples were collected and investigated for the possible presence of typical or atypical causative agents.ResultsOf the 141 clinically suspected pneumonia cases, 76 (53.9%) were confirmed positive by microbiological tests. More than 94 per cent of the confirmed cases were in the age group >50 yr, and 56.6 per cent of the cases were men. The most frequent isolates were Candida albicans (28.7%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (21.8%), followed by Legionella pneumophila (14.9%) and Klabsiella pneumoniae (9.2%). More than one causative pathogens were isolated in 15 patients (16.3%), and 55 per cent of patients were diabetic.Interpretation & conclusionsClinicians should be aware that typical pneumonia treatment regimens may not work well during the Hajj season due to the wide variety of isolated organisms. This necessitates taking a sputum sample before starting treatment for identification and sensitivity testing. Special precautions need to be taken for >50 yr old patients.

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Pattern of morbidity and mortality amongst Iraqi Hajj pilgrims: Experience of Iraqi Hajj medical mission 2023

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The religious pilgrimage of Hajj is one of the largest annual gatherings in the world. Every year approximately three million pilgrims travel from all over the world to perform Hajj in Mecca in Saudi Arabia. The high population density of pilgrims in confined settings throughout the Hajj rituals can facilitate infectious disease transmission among the pilgrims and their contacts. Infected pilgrims may enter Mecca without being detected and potentially transmit the disease to other pilgrims. Upon returning home, infected international pilgrims may introduce the disease into their home countries, causing a further spread of the disease. Computational modeling and simulation of social mixing and disease transmission between pilgrims can enhance the prevention of potential epidemics. Computational epidemic models can help public health authorities predict the risk of disease outbreaks and implement necessary intervention measures before or during the Hajj season. In this study, we proposed a conceptual agent-based simulation framework that integrates agent-based modeling to simulate disease transmission during the Hajj season from the arrival of the international pilgrims to their departure. The epidemic forecasting system provides a simulation of the phases and rituals of Hajj following their actual sequence to capture and assess the impact of each stage in the Hajj on the disease dynamics. The proposed framework can also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the different public health interventions that can be implemented during the Hajj, including size restriction and screening at entry points.

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BACKGROUNDApproximately 2 to 3 million pilgrims perform Hajj every year. Planning for health care requires knowledge of the pattern of diseases, complications, and outcome of pilgrims who require hospitalization during the Hajj period.METHODSIn a cross-sectional study we compiled data on all patients admitted to 1487 beds in four hospitals in Mena (793 beds) and three hospitals in Arafat (694 beds) from the seventh to the thirteenth day of the Hajj season of the Islamic year 1423, corresponding to 8 to 14 February 2003.RESULTSOf 808 patients hospitalized, most (79%) were older than 40 years. There was no sex preponderance. A total of 575 (71.2%) patients were admitted to medical wards, 105 (13.0%) to surgical wards, and 76 (9.4%) to intensive care units. Most patients (84.8%) had one acute medical problem. Pneumonia (19.7%), ischemic heart disease (12.3%), and trauma (9.4%) were the most common admitting diagnoses. More than one third (39%) had co-morbid conditions. A total of 644 (79.7%) patients were discharged from the hospital in stable condition to continue therapy in their residential camps, 140 (17.3%) were transferred to other hospitals in Makkah for specialized services or further care, 19 (2.3%) were discharged against medical advice, and 5 (0.7%) patients died.CONCLUSIONThis study provided information on the most common causes of hospitalization, pattern of diseases, and required medical services for pilgrims in Hajj. It is hoped that this data will be of help to health sector planners and officials to provide optimal and cost-effective health care services to pilgrims in Hajj.

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Abstract. Makkah, a religious city in Saudi Arabia, confronts significant air pollution issues due to the influx of millions of visitors, especially during the Hajj and Ramadan seasons. The study reviewed a few published reports and journals and obtained data from various sources: hourly traffic flow on six major roads during the Hajj season, PM10 and PM2.5 levels from two air quality stations, meteorological parameters (such as, air moisture, wind, its direction, temperature) and an emission inventory for industries. Using this data, the dispersion and impact of PM from automobile emissions were assessed in the study area. The results showed that PM10 and PM2.5 exceed the air quality limit often, and vehicular emissions were a major source of air pollution in the city, both light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles, which is compounded by the large number of tourists during the Hajj and Ramadan seasons. Pollutants causing respiratory and cardiovascular problems consist of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOX), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) etc. They also pose a threat to public health. Although the study cannot identify certain trends over time, it does show that Makkah has persistent and complex air pollution issues, emphasizing the necessity for efficient remedies and regulations to address the issues of the environment and public health. To mitigate the impact of automobile-related air pollution on the environment and human health in Makkah, some sustainable solutions include the development of public transportation, vehicle emission standards, electrical vehicles, cleaner fuels, and so on.