73 H1N1 CASES WITH FIVE DEATHS DURING THIS YEAR'S HAJ SEASON

MECCA, Dec 1 (Bernama) -- There were only 73 Influenza A(H1N1) cases with five deaths recorded out of nearly 2.5 million pilgrims who performed the Haj this year.

Health Minister Abdullah Al-Rabeeah was quoted as saying this by Saudi
Arabian English daily Arab News.

The newspaper also quoted the Civil Defence director-general, Gen. Saad bin
Abdullah Al-Tuwaijri, as saying that there was a big drop in the number of
accidents this Haj season compared to previous years.

"The huge drop is mainly attributed to the completion of the five-storey
Jamrat Bridge and the expansion of the Arafah area by more than 30 per cent," he
said.

Al-Tuwaijri said these projects had further boosted the capability of the
Civil Defence agency and other government bodies in carrying out their tasks
efficiently.

"It also enabled the pilgrims to perform the Haj rites in ease and comfort,"
he added.
-- BERNAMA