Two-level swine flu screening mandatory for Hajis

People undertaking Haj pilgrimage from Uttar Pradesh will be screened for swine flu twice.

This comes after the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health for Haj pilgrims issued an advisory calling for screening of pilgrims for suspected swine flu cases. Haj pilgrims already have to get clearance certificate for two other diseases meningococcal meningitis and polio. Since there is no vaccine available for swine-flu,the Uttar Pradesh Haj Committee will screen pilgrims first at the district level and then at the Lucknow and Varanasi airports just before boarding the special Haj flight.

The advisory was to vaccinate pilgrims if the vaccination is available. But since there is no such vaccination for swine flu,we have decided to undergo two level screenings for the pilgrims, said Dr M A A Khan,Secretary,Uttar Pradesh Haj Committee.

Out of around 1 lakh Haj pilgrims that visit Mecca every year,Uttar Pradesh contributes to around 27,300 pilgrims.

While the first flight carrying Haj pilgrims will take off from Lucknow airport on October 20,the flight from Varanasi is scheduled for November 3. The first screening will take place during the training programme for the Haj pilgrims in each district from October 1 to 5, said Khan.

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