Saudi Health Minister:Five Swine Flu Deaths During Hajj

　　Saudi Arabia's health minister said Sunday that five people had died from swine flue during the annual Hajj. They were among 73 confirmed cases.

　　Fears of a major outbreak of swine flu during the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca have not materialized, according to Saudi Health Minister Abdullah al-Rabeeah. He indicated that other contagious or infectious diseases were also kept in check.

　　Al-Rabeeah said five pilgrims had died from swine flu, among 73 reported cases.

　　He said precautionary measures taken by Saudi health officials were responsible for containing the spread of the virus. He added that no other outbreak of serious or infectious diseases among pilgrims occurred.

　　Saudi health officials, working with international health agencies kept close tabs on the more than two million Muslims who made the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca.

　　Signs and posters advised pilgrims to wash their hands, and sanitizers were placed in many strategic locations. Some pilgrims wore protective masks to prevent the spread of germs.

　　Arab health officials began preparations for the annual pilgrimage early this year, screening pilgrims for health concerns in their home countries before visas were granted.

　　Saudi Arabia stipulated in July that no individuals under the age of 12 or over the age of 65 would be allowed to participate in this year's Hajj, due to swine flu concerns.

　　沙特卫生部长周日表示，在一年一度的朝觐期间，已有5人死于甲型H1N1流感，共有73名确诊病例。

　　根据沙特卫生部长Abdullah al-Rabeeah所说，人们担心的在一年一度的穆斯林麦加朝圣期间猪流感大爆发并未成为现实。他指出，卫生部门也在检测其他传染性疾病。

　　Al-Rabeeah表示，已有5名朝圣者死于猪流感，共报告了73名确诊病例。

　　他说，沙特卫生部官员采取了预警措施，有效控制了甲型H1N1流感病毒的传播。他补充说，朝圣者中并未发生其他严重的或者传染性的疾病。

　　沙特卫生部官员与国际卫生机构一起密切观察着前往圣城麦加进行朝圣的200多万名穆斯林。

　　标志和海报建议朝圣者经常洗手。在许多战略性的位置都摆放了消毒杀菌剂。一些朝圣者戴着保护性的面具，防止细菌传播。

　　今年年初，阿拉伯卫生部门官员就开始为一年一度的朝圣做准备，在签发签证之前，在自己的国家就对朝圣者的健康状况进行了检查。

　　今年7月份，沙特阿拉伯规定，由于甲型H1N1流感，任何12岁以下或者65岁以上者都不允许参加今年的朝觐。