Hajj: NAHCON allays S/Arabia’s fears over Lassa fever

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has assured Saudi authorities that Nigerian pilgrims would not endanger the lives of others travelling to the Kingdom for hajj and umrah.

This was coming after Saudi Arabia threatened to block Nigerians from attending this year’s pilgrimage over fears they could spread Lassa fever.

“I want to assure our brothers in Saudi Arabia that we will not allow any of our pilgrims to endanger the lives of people from all over the world that will perform hajj or umrah,” NAHCON Chairman, Abdullahi Mukhtar, said at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja.

“We will take all necessary measures to ensure that we comply with all international accepted medical best practices,” he added.

He said Saudi Ministry of Health has mapped out strategies to prevent any intending pilgrim from Nigeria from entering the Kingdom with any infectious disease.

“This precautionary step intended to be taken by the Saudi Ministry of Health and other agencies at their entry points is a matter of concern to all of us.

“As Hajj managers, we have to do whatever it takes to complement the efforts of the Saudis in ensuring that all travellers for hajj are free from Lassa fever,” he said.

He said the commission, together with the Health Ministry, state pilgrims’ boards, airliners and other relevant agencies, would conduct thorough screening of pilgrims and their luggage to ensure that they do not carry animal or insects that could transmit Lassa fever.

NAHCON boss also assured all intending pilgrims that nobody will prevent them from performing their religious obligation.

Dr Ibrahim Kana, NAHCON board member, said thorough screening of intending pilgrims would be carried out at the state level, hajj camps and airports to ensure strict compliance.

Anyone found to be suffering from any infectious ailment would be prevented from travelling to the Kingdom, he added.