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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Global public health implications of a mass gathering in mecca, Saudi Arabia during the midst of an influenza pandemic
Journal of Travel Medicine, Volume 17, No. 2, Year 2010
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Description
Background. Every year millions of pilgrims from around the world gather under extremely crowded conditions in Mecca, Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj. In 2009, the Hajj coincided with influenza season during the midst of an influenza A (H1N1) pandemic. After the Hajj, resource-limited countries with large numbers of traveling pilgrims could be vulnerable, given their limited ability to purchase H1N1 vaccine and capacity to respond to a possible wave of H1N1 introduced via returning pilgrims. Methods. We studied the worldwide migration of pilgrims traveling to Mecca to perform the Hajj in 2008 using data from the Saudi Ministry of Health and international air traffic departing Saudi Arabia after the 2008 Hajj using worldwide airline ticket sales data. We used gross national income (GNI) per capita as a surrogate marker of a country's ability to mobilize an effective response to H1N1. Results. In 2008, 2.5 million pilgrims from 140 countries performed the Hajj. Pilgrims (1.7 million) were of international (non-Saudi) origin, of which 91.0% traveled to Saudi Arabia via commercial flights. International pilgrims (11.3%) originated from low-income countries, with the greatest numbers traveling from Bangladesh (50,419), Afghanistan (32,621), and Yemen (28,018). Conclusions. Nearly 200,000 pilgrims that performed the Hajj in 2008 originated from the world's most resource-limited countries, where access to H1N1 vaccine and capacity to detect and respond to H1N1 in returning pilgrims are extremely limited. International efforts may be needed to assist resource-limited countries that are vulnerable to the impact of H1N1 during the 2009 to 2010 influenza season. © 2010 International Society of Travel Medicine.
Authors & Co-Authors
Khan, Kamran M.
Canada, Toronto
Li ka Shing Knowledge Institute
Canada, Toronto
University of Toronto
Canada, Toronto
York University
Al Memish, Ziad Ahmed
Saudi Arabia, Riyadh
Ministry of Health Saudi Arabia
Chabbra, Aneesh
Canada, Ottawa
University of Ottawa
Liauw, Jessica
Canada, Kingston
Queen’s University
Hu, Wei
Canada, Toronto
Li ka Shing Knowledge Institute
Janes, David A.
Canada, Waterloo
University of Waterloo
Sears, Jennifer
Canada, Toronto
Li ka Shing Knowledge Institute
Arino, Julien
Canada, Toronto
York University
Canada, Winnipeg
University of Manitoba
MacDonald, Michael
Canada, Toronto
Toronto Metropolitan University
Calderon, Felipe
Canada, Toronto
Li ka Shing Knowledge Institute
Raposo, Paulo
Canada, Toronto
Li ka Shing Knowledge Institute
Heidebrecht, Christine L.
Canada, Toronto
Li ka Shing Knowledge Institute
Wang, Jun
Canada, Toronto
Li ka Shing Knowledge Institute
Chan, Angie
Canada, Toronto
Li ka Shing Knowledge Institute
Brownstein, John S.
United States, Boston
Boston Children's Hospital
Gardam, Michael A.
Canada, Toronto
University of Toronto
Canada, Toronto
Public Health Ontario
Statistics
Citations: 78
Authors: 16
Affiliations: 11
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1111/j.1708-8305.2010.00397.x
ISSN:
11951982
e-ISSN:
17088305
Research Areas
Environmental
Health System And Policy