4 Hajj Pilgrims Die of H1N1

Despite extensive precautions, Al-Jazeera reports that a few dozen cases of H1N1 have been seen among Hajj pilgrims.  And now, four pilgrims have died of complications from the virus.  The Hajj officially begins in a few days, but millions of pilgrims have been arriving in Makkah (Mecca) during the past weeks.  The four deaths come just days before the climax of the pilgrimage, the Day of Arafat, which will fall on Thursday.

Saudi officials have responded by reiterating their advice about H1N1 vaccination and hygiene.  The four pilgrims who died had not been vaccinated against the virus, and also unfortunately did not heed previous Saudi government instructions for certain groups of people to refrain from Hajj.  One was a minor child, and three were over the age of 75 -- both high-risk groups who had been advised to avoid Hajj this year.