Your health and safety guide to ensure the well-being of pilgrims during the Hajj season
Internal medicine specialist Dr. Fawaz Al-Hawzani warned of the potential for the spread of diseases and epidemics during the Hajj season, given the massive gathering of millions of pilgrims from around the world. He emphasized that this exceptional gathering increases the chances of infection spreading among the crowds if necessary preventative measures are not taken, stressing that true prevention begins well before travel by raising health awareness and strictly adhering to medical guidelines.
The exceptional dimensions and global impact of the gathering of pilgrims
Hajj is one of the largest periodic religious and human gatherings on Earth. Its significance lies not only in its profound spiritual and religious dimension for Muslims, but also in its far-reaching local, regional, and international impact. Locally, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia dedicates all its organizational, health, and logistical resources to ensure the smooth and safe conduct of this exceptional event. Internationally, the successful management of the health of these millions of pilgrims positively impacts global health security, as pilgrims return home safe and sound, preventing the spread of any cross-border epidemics and underscoring the efficiency and strength of the Saudi healthcare system in crisis management and prevention.
Historical background of health challenges during the Hajj season
Throughout history, large gatherings of people have posed a significant health challenge. In past decades and centuries, the influx of hundreds of thousands of people from diverse geographical regions carried with it the risk of transmitting infectious diseases prevalent at the time. With the development of modern preventive medicine, health authorities recognized the importance of establishing strict and early protocols. Historical experience has proven that adherence to vaccinations and preventive measures is the first line of defense, effectively contributing to the eradication of many epidemics that were a major concern in the past. This has made the Hajj pilgrimage in the modern era a global model to be emulated in the fields of preventive medicine and crowd health management.
Health requirements and mandatory vaccinations
Dr. Al-Hawzani emphasized that among the most important preventive measures pilgrims must adhere to is receiving the recommended vaccinations, in addition to regularly taking medications for chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. He noted that the Public Health Authority (Weqaya) has mandated that all pilgrims and staff receive the meningococcal meningitis vaccine at least ten days before traveling. It is also required to complete the COVID-19 immunization, either with the updated doses for the 2025-2026 season, by completing previous basic doses, or by providing proof of recovery during 2025. The requirements also include mandating polio vaccination for those arriving from certain countries, and yellow fever vaccination for those arriving from endemic areas in Africa and the Americas.
Categories exempted from performing the pilgrimage for medical reasons
The specialist emphasized the importance of the pilgrim's physical fitness, explaining that the requirements exclude several medical conditions that could pose a risk to the pilgrim or others. These include kidney failure patients requiring regular dialysis, symptomatic heart failure with minimal exertion, chronic lung diseases requiring oxygen, and advanced liver cirrhosis. The list also includes those with severe neurological or psychiatric conditions that impair cognitive function, dementia, pregnant women in their last trimester or high-risk pregnancies, those with active infectious diseases such as open pulmonary tuberculosis, and cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or immunosuppressant therapy.
Prevention of heat stress and sunstroke
Given that the Hajj coincides with high temperatures, Al-Hawzani explained that pilgrims may experience heat exhaustion due to significant fluid loss through sweating, leading to general weakness, dizziness, and low blood pressure. Heatstroke, on the other hand, occurs when the body temperature exceeds 40 degrees Celsius, accompanied by dry skin and a lack of sweating, and can even result in loss of consciousness. To prevent heatstroke, pilgrims should avoid direct sunlight, stay in the shade, use umbrellas, and drink plenty of fluids to replenish lost electrolytes. In cases of heatstroke, the pilgrim should be moved to a cool place and their temperature reduced with mild compresses, or, in severe cases, transported to the nearest medical facility immediately.
Personal hygiene and food safety guidelines
Al-Hawzani urged pilgrims to wash their hands frequently, use tissues when coughing or sneezing, and wear masks in crowded places. He also warned against contact with camels on farms or in markets to avoid respiratory illnesses, emphasizing the importance of getting the seasonal flu vaccine. Regarding food, he cautioned against consuming uncovered or undercooked foods, stressing the importance of washing fruits and vegetables and avoiding unpasteurized milk and raw meat. He concluded by emphasizing the need to carry a detailed medical report, improve physical fitness at least three weeks before traveling, and follow a healthy diet that supports the immune system, wishing everyone a blessed, safe, and healthy Hajj.
