Gezondheidsrisico’s en adviezen voor hadjpelgrims

Conflict of interest: none declared. Financial support: none declared

• The Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca, is the largest mass migration in the world. Each year, 2.5 million Muslims from over 160 countries travel to the same place, 5000-6000 of these being from the Netherlands.

• During the Hajj, the pilgrims undergo great physical and emotional strain.

• Good medical preparation including vaccinations is very important for pilgrims who undertake the Hajj, in particular for those who are older and have chronic disease.

• The chance of transmission of infective disease is also high and rapid contagion of Hajj pilgrims could cause a pandemic.

• It is therefore important that the responsible doctor is aware of the health risks to the Hajj pilgrim and his environment.