Haj pilgrims being tested for Ebola at Jeddah airport

Riyadh, Sep 22: Pilgrims arriving at the King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) are being screened, tested and given preventive medication against the Ebola virus.

Fahd Al-Ghazwi, supervisor of the preventive center at the airport, told a local newspaper that a medical team wearing protective clothing “examines pilgrims who have flown in for Haj, especially pilgrims coming from West Africa.”

Passengers are required to fill out medical forms and are administered medication as soon as they disembark from their flights.

Abdul Ghani Al-Malki, KAIA’s health control center director, emphasized the pressing need to examine each and every pilgrim entering the Kingdom.

“We are in the process of implementing a drill on how to handle a suspected case of illness or Ebola to ensure that teams are ready to act,” explained Al-Malki.

Fuad Sindi, medical director of the airport’s health control center, said the medical teams will use thermal cameras and visual observation to detect signs of Ebola.

“A rapid intervention team will be on standby to take any diagnosed case of Ebola directly to the hospital,” said Al-Malki.

A traveler who had been suspected of having the Ebola virus was recently transferred to hospital in an ambulance, but was found to be free from the disease upon testing.

Ahmad Al-Issa, medical services supervisor at the Interior Ministry, recently inspected health facilities in Makkah, Jeddah and Madinah to ensure readiness ahead of the busy season.