The Ministry of Health and Social Action (MSAS) reacted “following the numerous cases of unsolved deaths recorded during the pilgrimage and return from pilgrimage in certain countries”. In a press release, the ministry announced the strengthening of the health surveillance system at the borders by setting up, at the AIBD, a voluntary or symptomatic screening team for influenza syndromes among pilgrims returning from the Holy Places of Islam, at the search for cases of Covid-19, in collaboration with IRESSEF.
“Of the 124 rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) carried out on pilgrims upon their arrival at the airport, 78 cases were detected positive for SARS-CoV-2, including 36 cases confirmed by PCR. In order to avoid the risk of an epidemic in our country, the MSAS has recommended the following health measures:
pre-identification by MSAS medical teams on site of pilgrims returning from Mecca presenting symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 type influenza syndromes (breathing difficulties, cough, fever, pain, etc.);
systematic screening of pre-identified suspected cases and voluntary pilgrims upon their arrival at the airport; the systematic wearing of a mask when departing from the airport of boarding and throughout the flight;
the renunciation of communion called “Ganalé” for cases of pilgrims declared positive in order to avoid gatherings and the spread of the virus;
the contact of the nearest health structure in the event of the presence of symptoms associated with SARS-CoV-2 for returning pilgrims who have not undergone the test and contact persons of positive cases:
the reporting of any case of complication linked to a return from pilgrimage for rapid treatment by the MSAS services using the usual channels.
The MSAS calls on the population to be vigilant, to exercise restraint and to be more calm to avoid an epidemic. Indeed, Covid 19 is considered a flu under epidemiological surveillance since the end of the pandemic with a few cases sometimes recorded within the population.
