Thankfully, the swine flu epidemic that many feared would break out during this year’s Haj did not materialise.

According to the Saudi health authorities, out of the over two million people in the kingdom for the annual pilgrimage, there were only five deaths from swine flu apart from 73 cases of the illness as Haj rites concluded.

Though the deaths are unfortunate, one shudders to think of the devastation that would have been caused had an epidemic broken out.

It appears that the concerted efforts made by the Saudis paid off. Pilgrims were monitored from the time they arrived in Saudi Arabia as well as during the Haj rituals.

Saudi authorities say they will continue to screen the hajis until they leave the kingdom.

They have advised their governments to do the same once they return. All those who died — apart from a 17-year-old Nigerian woman — were over 70, and included a 70-year-old Pakistani man already suffering from other health complications.

The Saudis had advised that children, the elderly and those not keeping good health skip this year’s Haj.

However, some experts say that the true extent of swine flu will only be known once all the pilgrims have returned home. Nearly 160,000 Pakistanis went for Haj this year.

As pilgrims return, the relevant ministries will have to be on their toes. Hajis should be screened and counselled on arrival to get immediate medical attention in case they experience flu-like symptoms.

The federal religious affairs ministry told Haj group organisers to make arrangements for vaccinations before the pilgrims’ departure but it is uncertain how far these instructions were carried out.

The federal and provincial authorities will need to stay alert, because even if on the face of it the threat has passed, there is no room for complacency.