Saudi Arab not to ban hajj pilgrims over swine flu

RIYADH (SANA): The Saudi health minister says the kingdom will not ban anyone considered high risk for swine flu from performing the hajj pilgrimage this year.

Health Minister Abdullah al-Rabeeah says it is the responsibility of individual countries to enforce recommendations that children, the elderly and pregnant women skip the pilgrimage, which starts Nov. 25.

Al-Rabeeah says only two cases of swine flu have been reported so far among the half million pilgrims who have already arrived in the kingdom.

The minister says there are no indications fewer people will be attending this year’s pilgrimage because of swine flu concerns.

He spoke Saturday at the launch of a swine flu vaccine campaign.