PILGRIMS` FUND MEDICAL TEAM EQUIPPED TO HANDLE INFLUENZA H1N1

BY AHMAD KAMIL TAHIR

MEDINA, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Pilgrims Fund's (TH) medical
team in the Holy Land is fully equipped to handle Influenza H1N1, said its
Health Operations director Dr Wan Mansor Wan Hamzah.

"We are ready in terms of equipment and personnel should any of our pilgrims
be infected by the disease from pilgrims of other countries," he the Malaysian
media team covering the Haj pilgrimage this year, here Monday.

He said all TH personnel and Malaysian pilgrims had been given Meningococcal
Quadrivalent vaccine, to prevent lung inflammation, which has been made
compulsory by the Saudi Arabian government.

Besides this, he said an additional vaccine meant to prevent seasonal
influenza was also given to them as protection against Influenza H1N1 vaccine.

"Because the Influenza H1N1 vaccine is not yet available, the Saudi Arabian
government has agreed to let Malaysian pilgrims get the seasonal influenza shot
as a replacement," he said.

Even with the two vaccines, haj pilgrims were advised to be careful when
carrying out haj rituals as they were prone to mingle with pilgrims from around
the world during activities, he said.

However, he added that Influenza H1N1 in Saudi Arabia was under control and
not at a worrying stage.

Commenting further on the team's preparedness, Dr Wan Mansor said the 36
medical personnel in Medina had made last minute preparations related to
equipment, beds and medicine to treat pilgrims who will be arriving on the first
flight Tuesday.

He said sick haj pilgrims would be treated by personnel stationed at their
hotel, but they would sent to a clinic at the Tabung Haji building, here, should
further treatment be necessary.

Some 26,000 Malaysian pilgrims are due to perform the Haj this year.
-- BERNAMA