Detection of COVID-19 incidence among attendees of the 2022 Hajj season.

Objectives: This study investigated the presence of COVID-19 cases among pilgrims, health care workers (HCWs), and non-HCWs of Hajj 2022.

Methods: Nasopharyngeal samples were collected from 491 attendees of Hajj 2022. All participants received three doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

Epidemiological Differences in Hajj-Acquired Airborne Infections in Pilgrims Arriving from Low and Middle-Income versus High-Income Countries: A Systematised Review.

This systematised review aims to compare the epidemiological patterns of Hajj-acquired airborne infections among pilgrims from low and middle-income countries (LMIC) versus those from high-income countries (HIC). A PubMed search was carried out for all published articles before February 2023, using a combination of MeSH terms and text words. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess data quality.

Evaluation of the Most Visible Symptoms Associated with COVID-19 Vaccines Among the Residents of Makkah, Saudi Arabia: An Observational, Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: This research evaluated the most visible symptoms associated with coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines among residents in Makkah of Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021 among a representative sample of residents receiving COVID-19 vaccination at King Abdullah Medical City, ‏Al Ukayshiyyah, and Umm Al-Qura University vaccination centers. A total of 805 participants selected by a census sampling method were included.

The relationship between hand hygiene and rates of acute respiratory infections among Umrah pilgrims: A pilot randomised controlled trial.

Background: There is a lack of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the role of hand hygiene in preventing and containing acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in mass gatherings. In this pilot RCT, we assessed the feasibility of establishing a large-scale trial to explore the relationship between practising hand hygiene and rates of ARI in Umrah pilgrimage amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: A parallel RCT was conducted in hotels in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, between April and July 2021.

Effect of the COVID-19 Vaccine on the Menstrual Cycle among Females in Saudi Arabia.

Background: The number of reports of menstrual changes after COVID-19 vaccination in the Saudi population is still unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effect of the COVID-19 vaccine(Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Moderna) on the menstrual cycle among females in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Saudi Arabia at Umm Al-Qura University (UQU) from August 2021 to February 2022.

Low Prevalence of Syndromic Respiratory Tract Infections among Returning Hajj Pilgrims Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Post-Hajj Survey.

This study estimates the point prevalence of symptomatic respiratory tract infections (RTIs) among returned Hajj pilgrims and their contacts in 2021. Using the computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) technique, domestic pilgrims were invited to participate in this cross-sectional survey two weeks after their home return from Hajj. Of 600 pilgrims approached, 79.

Syndromic surveillance of respiratory-tract infections and hand hygiene practice among pilgrims attended Hajj in 2021: a cohort study.

Background: The risk of transmission of viral respiratory tract infections (RTIs) is high in mass gatherings including Hajj. This cohort study estimated the incidence of symptomatic RTIs and hand hygiene compliance with its impact among Hajj pilgrims during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: During the week of Hajj rituals in 2021, domestic pilgrims were recruited by phone and asked to complete a baseline questionnaire.

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Obsession and Compulsion Symptoms in Saudi Arabia.

Background Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common condition that has a significant impact on people's lives. COVID-19 pandemic imposed a challenging situation for the general population with new precautionary measures. All that can have serious implications for those who already have intense concerns about cleanliness and hygiene and those diagnosed with OCD.

Hand Hygiene Knowledge, Perception, and Practices among Domestic Visitors to the Prophet's Mosque in Al Madinah City Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study aimed to assess hand hygiene knowledge, perception, and practices of visitors to the Prophet's Mosque in Al Madinah City, Saudi Arabia. Using a self-administered electronic questionnaire, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among domestic residents, who visited the mosque between 31 July and 3 August 2020. Participants' demographic data, hand hygiene knowledge, perception, and practices were collected.

Facemask against viral respiratory infections among Hajj pilgrims: A challenging cluster-randomized trial.

Background: In this large-scale cluster-randomized controlled trial (cRCT) we sought to assess the effectiveness of facemasks against viral respiratory infections.

Methods And Results: Over three consecutive Hajj seasons (2013, 2014, 2015) pilgrims' tents in Makkah were allocated to 'facemask' or 'no facemask' group. Fifty facemasks were offered to participants in intervention tents, to be worn over four days, and none were offered to participants in control tents.

Meningococcal and pneumococcal carriage in Hajj pilgrims: findings of a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Intense congestion during the Hajj pilgrimage amplifies the risk of meningococcal carriage and disease, and there have been many meningococcal outbreaks reported amongst pilgrims. Thus, a strict vaccination policy is enforced by the host country and either polysaccharide or conjugate quadrivalent meningococcal vaccines are mandatory. However, unlike conjugate vaccines, the polysaccharide vaccine is not thought to reduce pharyngeal carriage of meningococci.

Acute Complications of Diabetes Among Pilgrims During Hajj 2017: A Brief Report.

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) was reported as one of the most common non-communicable diseases during Hajj. However, few studies evaluated acute complications of DM during Hajj. Therefore, this study aims to explore the most common acute complications among pilgrims with DM during Hajj 2017 and its clinical presentations.

Influenza vaccine effectiveness among Hajj pilgrims: a test-negative case-control analysis of data from different Hajj years.

: Influenza is a common respiratory infection at Hajj. Thus, influenza vaccine is recommended for Hajj pilgrims but data on its effectiveness from a large sample are unavailable. This analysis aims to assess the effectiveness of the trivalent seasonal influenza vaccine (TIV) among Hajj pilgrims.

Effect on meningococcal serogroup W immunogenicity when Tdap was administered prior, concurrent or subsequent to the quadrivalent (ACWY) meningococcal CRM-conjugate vaccine in adult Hajj pilgrims: A randomised controlled trial.

Immune responses to the capsular polysaccharide administered in the polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccines can be either improved or suppressed by the pre-existence of immunity to the carrier protein. Receiving multiple vaccinations is essential for travellers such as Hajj pilgrims, and the use of conjugated vaccines is recommended. We studied the immune response to meningococcal serogroup W upon prior, concurrent and sequential administration of a quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) conjugated to CRM (coadministered with 13 valent pneumococcal vaccine conjugate CRM [PCV13]), and tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine in Australian adults before attending the Hajj pilgrimage in 2014.

Mandatory meningococcal vaccine, and other recommended immunisations: Uptake, barriers, and facilitators among health care workers and trainees at Hajj.

Aim: To evaluate the uptake of a mandatory meningococcal, a highly recommended influenza, and an optional pneumococcal vaccine, and to explore the key factors affecting vaccination rate among health care workers (HCWs) during the Hajj.

Methods: An anonymous cross-sectional online survey was distributed among HCWs and trainees who worked or volunteered at the Hajj 2015-2017 through their line managers, or by visiting their hospitals and healthcare centres in Makkah and Mina. Overseas HCWs who accompanied the pilgrims or those who work in foreign Hajj medical missions were excluded.

Acute respiratory tract infection symptoms and the uptake of dual influenza and pneumococcal vaccines among Hajj pilgrims.

Background: Hajj pilgrims are encouraged to take influenza and pneumococcal vaccines prior to their travel to safeguard against acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs). It is unclear whether dual immunisation with influenza and pneumococcal vaccines have had any impact on ARTI symptoms. To this end, we have examined the data of the last several years to assess whether combined influenza and pneumococcal vaccination has affected the rate of ARTI symptoms among Hajj pilgrims.

Influenza vaccination among Saudi Hajj pilgrims: Revealing the uptake and vaccination barriers.

Background: Hajj is the world's largest annual mass gathering that attracts two to three million Muslims from around the globe to a religious assemblage in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The risk of acquisition and transmission of influenza among Hajj pilgrims is high. Therefore, influenza vaccination is recommended, and was monitored frequently among pilgrims from different countries.

Multiple Sources of Genetic Diversity of Influenza A Viruses during the Hajj.

Outbreaks of respiratory virus infection at mass gatherings pose significant health risks to attendees, host communities, and ultimately the global population if they help facilitate viral emergence. However, little is known about the genetic diversity, evolution, and patterns of viral transmission during mass gatherings, particularly how much diversity is generated by transmission compared to that imported from other locations. Here, we describe the genome-scale evolution of influenza A viruses sampled from the Hajj pilgrimages at Makkah during 2013 to 2015.

Barriers of vaccinations against serious bacterial infections among Australian Hajj pilgrims.

Objectives: Vaccination against serious bacterial infections is recommended for Hajj pilgrims. Although the uptake of mandatory vaccines among Hajj pilgrims is acceptable, the uptake of other recommended vaccines remains suboptimal. In this study, we have explored the barriers to vaccination against serious bacterial infections among Australian Hajj pilgrims.

Uptake and effectiveness of facemask against respiratory infections at mass gatherings: a systematic review.

Objectives: The risk of acquisition and transmission of respiratory infections is high among attendees of mass gatherings (MGs). Currently used interventions have limitations yet the role of facemask in preventing those infections at MG has not been systematically reviewed. We have conducted a systematic review to synthesise evidence about the uptake and effectiveness of facemask against respiratory infections in MGs.

Burden of vaccine preventable diseases at large events.

Background: Large events or mass gatherings (MGs) are known to amplify the risk of infectious diseases, many of which can be prevented by vaccination. In this review we have evaluated the burden of vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) in MGs.

Methods: Major databases like PubMed and Embase, Google Scholar and pertinent websites were searched by using MeSH terms and text words; this was supplemented by hand searching.

Mismatching between circulating strains and vaccine strains of influenza: Effect on Hajj pilgrims from both hemispheres.

The trivalent seasonal influenza vaccine is expected to provide optimum protection if the vaccine strains match the circulating strains. The effect of worldwide mismatch between the vaccine strains and extant strains on travelers attending Hajj pilgrimage is not known. Annually 2-3 million Muslims coming from north and south hemispheres congregate at Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, where intense congestion amplifies the risk of respiratory infection up to eight fold.

Changes in the prevalence of influenza-like illness and influenza vaccine uptake among Hajj pilgrims: A 10-year retrospective analysis of data.

Background: Influenza is an important health hazard among Hajj pilgrims. For the last ten years, pilgrims are being recommended to take influenza vaccine before attending Hajj. Vaccination coverage has increased in recent years, but whether there has been any change in the prevalence of influenza-like illness (ILI) is not known.