ACCORDING to the World Health Organisation, the figures related to cholera epidemic in Yemen are dangerously alarming. The suspected cases of cholera are 332,000 and number of deaths is 1,742.

The number of newly-infected people is growing by about 6,000 per day. Some African countries are also affected by other diseases besides cholera.

Haj draws two to four million Muslims every year, including one and a half to two million foreigners. This increases the risk of diseases such as yellow fever, dengue, zika virus and cholera among pilgrims during Haj and even after they return to their home countries.

Although WHO is confident that Saudi authorities are well-prepared and equipped to prevent an outbreak of the diseases, it mentions there is no method in place to screen patients at airports.

Pakistan’s Haj department should raise awareness about symptoms and dangers of diseases and take all necessary precautions like vaccinations etc.

The health ministry and Civil Aviation Authority should install screening systems at airports to prevent an unchecked entry of infected persons.

M. Khalid Kamal
Doha, Qatar

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2017