Dakar (© 2024 Afriquinfos)- Usually a source of joy and rejoicing for families, the return of the pilgrimage to Mecca has become this year, a source of concern for relatives and leaders. This, since the death of several dozen pilgrims and some returning from the Holy City of Islam, tested positive for Covid-19, particularly in Senegal. The other countries of the continent immediately strengthened their surveillance systems.
Around a hundred deaths were reported among African pilgrims at this year’s Hajj. Initially, according to the Saudi authorities, it is the strong heat which prevails in the kingdom during this period which is the cause. But very quickly, some observers estimated that a certain number of these deaths were caused by a respiratory syndrome disease such as Covid-19.
To make matters worse, several Senegalese pilgrims tested positive for Covid-19 upon their return from Mecca. Rapid tests were indeed carried out upon their disembarkation at Dakar International Airport. Of the 124 people tested, 78 were carriers of the Coronavirus virus. The health authorities were in a frenzy, and they announced a number of measures: All passengers coming from Jeddah must wear a mask, be tested on a voluntary basis and a health system is in place to handle complicated cases.
Even if now, Covid-19 is considered a flu of no major importance to monitor, vigilance is also required in other African countries which are awaiting the return of their pilgrims. In Togo, systematic screening for covid-19 has been established by the authorities for pilgrims returning to the country. In addition to this test, the faithful returning from the Hajj will have to “limit contacts, wear masks, wash hands regularly, avoid gatherings for 10 days following their return“, detailed the Togolese government in a press release dated June 28.
Similar measures were taken by Ouagadougou, which welcomed its first contingent of 432 pilgrims last Wednesday. All had to comply with the system of strengthening the surveillance mechanism, which already includes COVID-19 in the diseases under surveillance, set up by the health authorities. Furthermore, the ministry “invites the population to go to the nearest health center in the event of any case of fever, cough, breathing difficulties, chest pain in any person or in any pilgrim returning from Mecca.”
The same story at Garoua International Airport in Cameroon, where the surveillance system against Covid-19 has been strengthened to prevent the spread of the epidemic. Despite these measures, all these governments and health authorities want to be reassuring, but call on their populations to take precautions. We are a long way from the apocalyptic scenario of 2020.
Boniface T.
