A visiting Malaysian boy who was confirmed with swine flu during a family pilgrimage to Mecca highlighted the importance of planning for the holy pilgrimage season in August through December, when two million people are expected to visit the holy sites of Mecca and Medina.

The Saudi Arabian government has already begun working with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other groups to expand on the kingdom’s already-sophisticated health plan to minimize swine flu infections.

Well over 44,000 swine flu cases have now been documented worldwide in 92 countries. Of the more than 180 fatalities, some of the most recent have been children.

In New York, USA alone, hundreds of young persons have been hospitalized with the swine flu, as children in summer camps across the country have fallen ill in groups at a time.

Even adults infected tend to be younger persons, such as the newest confirmed cases in Slovenia and recent fatalities in the Australia and the UK,both of which have more than 2,000 cases.

We thank Saudi Arabia and all governments of the world working to safeguard public health in the face of this pandemic. Wishing all those afflicted a smooth and complete recovery as we pray for Heaven’s mercy in awakening our world to the animal-free lifestyle leading to a safer future for all.

Reference
http://www.france24.com/en/20090618-saudi-faces-rising-swine-flu-threat-pilgrims
http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m6d20
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