Saudi Arabia prepares to receive up to 1 million Hajj pilgrims as monkeypox fears loom

Muslim worshippers gather before the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Makkah on July 1, 2022. (AFP)
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Updated 05 July 2022
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Saudi Arabia prepares to receive up to 1 million Hajj pilgrims as monkeypox fears loom

  • Experts divided on whether jump in monkeypox cases worldwide sufficient cause for alarm
  • Say threat can be controlled, increased risk of infection during Hajj is "unlikely"

DUBAI: As Saudi Arabia prepares to receive up to 1 million Hajj pilgrims from around the world for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the shadow of a new virus looms over the horizon, raising the inevitable question of whether monkeypox will be the next global health crisis.

Thus far, more than 5,700 cases of monkeypox have been reported in 52 countries, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Europe accounts for nearly 90 percent of all confirmed and reported cases worldwide since mid-May. As of this week, 31 countries in the continent have reported at least one monkeypox case. A handful of cases have been identified in the Middle East, mainly in the UAE.

The World Health Organization has ruled that the spread of monkeypox does not yet qualify as a global health emergency. However, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO’s director general, has voiced concern over the rapidly evolving threat.




Up to 1 million Hajj pilgrims from around the world will partake in religious rites this year. (SPA)

Experts are divided on whether the jump in the number of monkeypox cases worldwide from 800 to 3,500 during June is a sufficient cause for alarm.

Smallpox, which belongs to the same family of viruses as monkeypox, was eradicated in the 1980s through mass vaccination. Some scientists believe monkeypox is spreading because of the human population’s diminishing protection from smallpox.

Others believe climate change is a likely culprit behind the spread of the virus as the space between human communities and animal habitats shrinks.

Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Program, has suggested that as the planet deals with rising levels of ecological fragility and climate stress, both animal and human behaviors are being affected.

Citing recent findings, researchers at the US National Institutes of Health have said that the monkeypox virus strain has mutated 12 times more than expected since 2018.

The current strain is said to be circulating at an abnormally rapid speed, which could change its regular contamination patterns.

Under the circumstances, how afraid should the Arab world be of the monkeypox virus?

The unprecedented increase in cases is concerning, but the threat can be controlled, says Dr. Abdullah Algaissi, a virologist and assistant professor at the college of medical sciences at Jazan University, Saudi Arabia.

Noting that it is still not clear whether monkeypox is an airborne virus or not, he told Arab News: “While the main route of infection is sexual contact or contact with blisters or rashes of infected persons, there is evidence suggesting that monkeypox can be transmitted through the respiratory system.”

What is known for sure is that close and extended contact with an infected person must take place for contamination to occur.

For the same reasons, according to Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and director of the Vaccine Research Group at the Mayo Clinic, monkeypox should not be a significant concern during the upcoming Hajj season.

While those who live with or have close contact with infected persons are at a higher risk of the disease, increased risk of infection during Hajj is “unlikely,” he told Arab News.




Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and director of the Vaccine Research Group at the Mayo Clinic. (Supplied)

“Monkeypox is a rare but dangerous infection similar to the now eradicated smallpox virus, but it is nowhere near as transmissible and has a very low fatality rate if treated properly and promptly.”

Signs of monkeypox infection, according to Dr. Algassi, include skin lesions such as blisters around the genitals, hands, legs, face and arms, fever and swelling of the lymph nodes. The symptoms are more severe for immunocompromised individuals, he said, but “rarely fatal.”

Dr. Algassi explained that the first outbreak was reported in monkeys in 1958, before it became clear that rodents were the source of the infection.

“The monkeypox virus is a zoonotic virus that is usually transmitted from animal hosts to humans or even other animals and belongs to a larger family called pox viruses,” he said.

The first human case of monkeypox was diagnosed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1970, and quickly became endemic in several African countries. However, the disease has rarely spread outside Africa.
 




A monkeypox virion obtained from a clinical sample associated with the 2003 prairie dog outbreak. (AFP)

A health protocol issued by the Saudi Ministry of Health last month requires pilgrims flying in from Nigeria to complete a monkeypox declaration form 24 hours before departure.

The ministry earlier said it was fully prepared to monitor and deal with any monkeypox cases, and that no cases had been recorded in the Kingdom so far.

All necessary medical and laboratory tests were available in the Kingdom, the ministry said, adding that it issued guidelines to healthcare workers on the matter. The ministry also said it had a complete preventive and curative healthcare plan to deal with any cases.

With regard to COVID-19, the ministry has announced an approved list of vaccines along with the requisite doses for each inoculation. It has also provided plans for managing any cases that emerge during the Hajj season by providing tents for the isolation of infected pilgrims.

FASTFACTS

FASTFACTS • Saudia has dedicated a fleet of 14 aircraft for pilgrims.

• More than 268 international flights from and to 15 stations.

• 32 domestic flights to and from six stations.

• 107,000 International and 12,800 domestic seats in total.

• Pilgrims are flown to King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah or Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah.

Appearing this week on “Frankly Speaking,” the flagship weekly current affairs talk show of Arab News, Hisham Saeed, Saudi Arabia’s deputy minister of Hajj and Umrah services and official spokesman, said that despite the new threat of monkeypox, “we are ready to handle any case, any scenario.”

A 30,000-strong medical team of doctors and nurses, as well as over 185 hospitals in the Kingdom and more than 100 medical centers in the holy sites of Mina, Arafat and Madinah, will be ready to treat pilgrims suffering from any illness, according to Saeed.

He said although more pilgrims will be allowed this year than in the past two years, the total number will still be limited on account of health concerns.
 




Dr. Abdullah Algaissi, a virologist and assistant professor at the college of medical sciences at Jazan University. (Supplied)

“This year we have a decision to go for 1 million, because the pandemic still exists, it’s not over yet, and we are not running the full capacity for this year,” Saeed said.

Indeed, according to Dr. Poland, unlike monkeypox, COVID-19 continues to be a threat in huge crowds and gatherings. “This is the much larger issue as immunization rates are likely to be low or variable and amassing large numbers of such individuals together over days represents a risk and threat,” he told Arab News.

Echoing the same concern, Dr. Algaissi cited the emergence of new variants such as the omicron sub-variant, BA.5, which gives COVID-19 an “evolutionary advantage,” adding that these variants could get introduced from one country to another through travel.

Having said that, he noted that “most of the world is now vaccinated, which provides a primary layer of protection, especially against severe infection or death.”




Health measures are part of the Kingdom’s broader preparations for Hajj, which includes monitoring at the Saudi National Center for Security Operations. (AP)

Dr. Algaissi further pointed to the strict precautionary protocols adopted by the health authorities in Saudi Arabia as key in managing any potential outbreaks during the Hajj season.

Apart from being fully vaccinated, wearing masks in the holy sites and practicing basic hygiene precautions are essential during Hajj.

“Most importantly, if a pilgrim feels any respiratory symptoms during Hajj, they should strictly follow these instructions and avoid contacting others to stop spreading the infection,” Dr. Algaissi said.

Avoiding “skin-to-skin contact with others” will also help reduce chances of the spread of monkeypox.


Saudi students explore intersection of science and art

Updated 30 April 2024
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Saudi students explore intersection of science and art

  • Exhibition organized by the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts runs until May 2

JEDDAH: The Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts has launched an exhibition in Jeddah showcasing 25 artworks exploring the link between science and art.

Fifteen female students from King Abdulaziz University presented their paintings, sketches and other projects at the opening of the Sci-Art exhibition. (AN photo)

The second annual exhibition organized by the arts society, in collaboration with the Biology Club at King Abdulaziz University, was opened in the presence of Mohammed Al-Subaih, director-general of the organization, Mona Al-Harbi, vice dean of the college of science, local artists, and parents.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The Sci-Art exhibition was organized by the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts in collaboration with the Biology Club at King Abdulaziz University.

• It is being held to encourage students to showcase their creativity.

The exhibition, which will run until May 2 at the organization’s Abdul Halim Radwi Auditorium, presents an artistic interpretation of scientific inquiry. It is being held to encourage students to showcase their creativity.

Fifteen female students from King Abdulaziz University presented their paintings, sketches and other projects at the opening of the Sci-Art exhibition. (AN photo)

Fifteen female students presented their paintings, sketches and other projects at the opening of the event.

The students chose as subject matter the body’s various systems, the solar system, human mind, natural world, animals, mathematics, computer programming, global warming and more.

The Sci-Art exhibition allows participants to engage their creative and analytical minds to forge new connections between ideas and learn about the world through art.

Mona Al-Harbi, Vice dean of the college of science, King Abdulaziz University

Al-Subaih praised the students for their work. “This exhibition comes as part of our role in spreading culture and arts … we thought of creating a platform for students to exhibit their talents and showcase their innovative ideas and this exhibition is an exciting moment for us to share with our community.”

Al-Harbi added: “The sci-art exhibition allows participants to engage their creative and analytical minds to forge new connections between ideas and learn about the world through art.

“This exhibition is a way to provide a platform for students and others to express that side of themselves and bring art and science together. Our aim is to encourage students to show their artistic talents and create paintings that related to subjects that they have learned in science.”

 


French consul general hosts cultural exchange steeped in flavor

Updated 12 min 16 sec ago
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French consul general hosts cultural exchange steeped in flavor

  • Nehad told Arab News: “Today’s invitation aims to introduce you to the delights of French cuisine. This longstanding tradition highlights the elegance and flavor of French cooking”

JEDDAH: A top chef has brought French flavors to the Kingdom as part of 'Good France,' an event aimed at promoting French cuisine abroad.

The Jeddah residence of the French consul general, Mohammed Nehad, hosted a group of Saudi press representatives on Monday as part of the festival’s closing day.

Renowned French chef Stephane Collet and his assistant, Florian Atteleyn, served an exclusive lunch that showcased the artisanship and elegance of French gastronomy.

Renowned French chef Stephane Collet served an exclusive lunch that showcased the artisanship and elegance of French gastronomy. (AN photo)

Nehad told Arab News: “Today’s invitation aims to introduce you to the delights of French cuisine. This longstanding tradition highlights the elegance and flavor of French cooking.”

French gastronomy was recognized by UNESCO as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage in November 2010.

My journey to becoming a chef began with family meals that ignited my passion for cooking. I fondly remember the dishes prepared by my grandmothers and parents, each imbued with love and joy.

Stephane Collet, French chef

Collet told Arab News: “My journey to becoming a chef began with family meals that ignited my passion for cooking. I fondly remember the dishes prepared by my grandmothers and parents, each imbued with love and joy.

“Influenced by renowned chefs during my training at the Touquet Hotel School, I embarked on a path to become a Meilleur Ouvrier de France.”

Fresh fillet of white fish with creamy sauce, highlighted classic French flavors served alongside a medley of asparagus and a mini sweet pepper stuffed with ratatouille. (AN photo by Nada Hameed)

Years of professional experience both in France and abroad honed Collet’s culinary skills, and he was guided by passionate mentors and colleagues. Since 2011, he has taught new chefs.

In 2018, Collet was honored with the prestigious title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France. “I cook with love and I respect ingredients … I like to preserve techniques rooted in our French gastronomic heritage. My expertise is sought after for events where I share my culinary journey and skills,” he added.

French crepe drizzled with citrus caramel sauce. (AN photo by Nada Hameed)

In preparation for the day’s seafood banquet, Collet visited Jeddah’s central fish market, where fresh delicacies were a “delight for the eyes with a rich diversity in fish and shrimp varieties.”

The first course featured delicate shrimp and mousseline with a creamy tomato broth.

The main course, a fresh fillet of white fish with creamy sauce served alongside a medley of asparagus and a mini sweet pepper stuffed with ratatouille, was a classic French dish featuring seasonal vegetables and rich aromas.

To end the meal, guests were served crepes drizzled with citrus-inspired caramel sauce, adorned with fresh orange slices and marmalade.

Collet and his team served more than 80 guests during the Francophonie Festival’s closing ceremony.

As the festival concluded, the celebrations continued into the night with a vibrant showcase of music, dance and traditional attire from Francophone countries.

 


Deal signed to advance Saudi agriculture

Updated 30 April 2024
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Deal signed to advance Saudi agriculture

  • The agreement aims to build capabilities, boost skills, and transfer agricultural technologies, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030

RIYADH: Ahmed Al-Eyada, the undersecretary at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, witnessed the signing on Tuesday of a cooperation agreement between the National Agricultural Development Company, and Delphy, a global company specializing in agricultural services.

The agreement aims to build capabilities, boost skills, and transfer agricultural technologies, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

The deal is part of the ministry’s initiative to adopt modern systems, technologies, and innovations in the sector through local, regional, and international partnerships to achieve national objectives.

It is hoped the agreement will help in the training of agricultural advisers, while building capacities and adopting best practices and technologies. This will contribute to enhancing farmers’ efficiency and advancing the country’s agricultural sector.

 


Saudi FM discusses developments in Gaza with Mexican counterpart during phone call

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan called his Mexican counterpart Alicia Barcena on Tuesday. (File/AFP)
Updated 30 April 2024
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Saudi FM discusses developments in Gaza with Mexican counterpart during phone call

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan called his Mexican counterpart Alicia Barcena on Tuesday.

During the call, bilateral relations and aspects of joint cooperation were discussed. The two officials also discussed the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and its surroundings.


‘WEF conference in Riyadh testified to growing global interest in Saudi Vision 2030 reform agenda,’ EUSR to Gulf Luigi Di Maio tells Arab News

Updated 01 May 2024
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‘WEF conference in Riyadh testified to growing global interest in Saudi Vision 2030 reform agenda,’ EUSR to Gulf Luigi Di Maio tells Arab News

  • EU special representative for the Gulf region announces new European Chamber of Commerce in Riyadh
  • Luigi Di Maio lauds strong bilateral cooperation between the EU and Saudi Arabia on energy, security and Gaza

RIYADH: Riyadh’s hosting of the World Economic Forum this week is a signal of the global business community’s growing interest in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reform agenda, Luigi Di Maio, the EU special representative for the Gulf region, has said.

WEF’s special meeting on global collaboration, growth and energy for development took place in the Saudi capital on April 28-29 and was attended by 1,000 government, business and civil society leaders.

Di Maio, who is approaching his first anniversary in his role as EU special representative for the Gulf region, believes the choice of Riyadh as the summit venue reflects changing global perceptions of the Kingdom.

“First of all, the fact that the World Economic Forum, for the first time, is in Riyadh, testifies to the interest of the business community at the world level about the Vision 2030 program,” Di Maio told Arab News on Tuesday.

“The ambitions, especially economic ambitions, of Saudi Arabia are totally changing perceptions of the Kingdom around the world. There is a business community that is more and more interested in these ambitions, in this vision, and in a new generation of dreamers in this country.”

In a wide-ranging interview, which touched on EU-Gulf cooperation on Gaza, new visa rules for citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council area, and the establishment of a European Chamber of Commerce in Riyadh, Di Maio lauded recent strides in bilateral relations.

“The WEF was an important opportunity to have real and practical solutions for both sides,” he said. “For instance, His Highness, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy Abdulaziz bin Salman, had a bilateral meeting with EU Commissioner for Energy (Kadri Simson).

“And after this meeting, they published a joint statement saying that they discussed and they concluded the discussion about the idea, in a few months, to sign an MoU about energy partnership, energy collaboration.

WEF’s special meeting on global collaboration, growth and energy for development took place in the Saudi capital on April 28-29. (X: EUSR_Gulf)

“And this testifies, again, how much the World Economic Forum here in Riyadh was even a concrete and pragmatic solution, in order to have bilaterals resulting in MoUs, agreements and new partnerships between Saudi Arabia and the rest of the world.”

During his tenure as special representative, Di Maio said, the bilateral alignment between the EU and Saudi Arabia has grown even stronger, with a particular focus on common security interests, particularly in the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel that sparked the ongoing war in Gaza.

“There is a strong alignment between European Union member states and European institutions and Saudi Arabia, but I would say even the GCC countries about the two-state solution for the Middle East peace process,” said Di Maio.

“But I would say that in particular, after Oct. 7, the awareness from our side of how much the GCC countries are strategic partners, not just for the contingencies, not just for what is happening now, but for the next decades is even more.

“This awareness is increasing a lot, not just at the member states level, but is growing around the world.”

This is due in part to a growing recognition of the Kingdom’s diplomatic and economic influence as a regional and global player, Di Maio said.

“Saudi Arabia is becoming more and more the point of reference because now it is implementing its vision for the region that is not just an economic ambition, but is a new policy and new initiatives in order to de-escalate, to make the region in peace and wind down on tensions like the tension that we are experiencing now.

“The partnership and the strategic partnership between the EU and GCC countries, in particular with countries like Saudi Arabia, is vital.

“For instance, last Monday in Luxembourg, we had the high-level forum of the ministers of foreign affairs between the ministers of the EU and Saudi ministers. Even Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan was in Luxembourg.

“And we discussed several topics in an informal discussion, a very frank discussion, where we understood more and more how much there is a common ground in order to build peace and stability for both regions, keeping in mind that Saudi Arabia’s security is our security, and, if I may, our security is Saudi Arabia’s security.”

In particular, Di Maio said, cooperation on the Gaza crisis has brought the EU and the GCC closer than before, with joint work on ceasefire negotiations, humanitarian aid access, and the ambition to establish an independent Palestinian state.

“The situation in Gaza is not just about how to politically solve this dramatic issue, but even how to work together about humanitarian aid access,” said Di Maio.

Luigi Di Maio with Saudi minister Adel Al-Jubeir. (X: EUSR_Gulf)

“We have to do more and more about how to allow the entrance of trucks in Gaza and how to deliver humanitarian aid to the people there. And we are working a lot with Saudi Arabia and others in the GCC, like the UAE, for the corridor between Cyprus and Gaza, and Qatar for the negotiations.”

“We are a team. At the beginning of this conflict, I was concerned about the situation, even, of our relations, the EU-GCC. But I’m experiencing that facing, together, this dramatic issue, we are even closer than before.”

He added: “My perception is that we have to be optimists. We have to work hard on the ceasefire using all the leverage at the world level in order to bring closer the two sides in order to have this ceasefire.

“I think that, again, the countries of the region, like Saudi Arabia, but even countries like Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, the UAE, they are protagonists of this process.

“And only with the leadership from the region we will be able to have a sustainable ceasefire, because the Saudis are the only ones that are guarantors of a ceasefire about Gaza on their side, because they are very well, they know very well the dynamics of the region and how to avoid a new Oct. 7 and the new conflict in Gaza.”

Di Maio used his interview with Arab News to announce the forthcoming inauguration of a new European Chamber of Commerce in Riyadh — the first in the GCC area — that will bring together Saudi and European firms to enhance trade and cooperation.

“I am very happy to announce here during this interview that next week, on May 8, we will inaugurate here in Riyadh the first ever European Chamber of Commerce, the first ever in the Gulf of the EU,” he said.

“We’ve worked very hard with (Saudi Arabia’s) Ministry of Investment, the Ministry of Trade. The EU delegation in Riyadh did a great job. And now we are going to inaugurate this chamber.

“That is in order to bring closer our companies, Saudi companies and European companies, in order to take on both sides the new opportunities of the Vision program, but even of our new European Green Deal, Next Generation EU, and others.

“And there will be a very articulated board with several companies from Europe, the most important, among the most important ones.”

Di Maio believes the choice of Riyadh as the WEF summit venue reflects changing global perceptions of the Kingdom. (X: EUSR_Gulf)

Di Maio also highlighted the recent announcement of a new five-year multi-entry visa for Saudi, Bahraini and Omani citizens entering the EU.

“I’m very happy to announce that last Monday (April 23), the European Commission approved the five years visa cascade,” he said. “That means that when a Saudi, for instance, citizen will ask for a new visa, will apply for a visa, the validity of this visa for multiple entries will be of five years, and not just one year.

“And it will be for Saudi people, for Bahraini people, and for Omani people. Qataris and Kuwaitis, they already had. Now all the GCC countries are aligned for five years. This is good news for the future.

“But we have a period of time where your citizens, your students, your entrepreneurs, your researchers, your tourists, can come to Europe without much bureaucracy.”

Di Maio also took the opportunity to highlight a new collaboration between the EU and the GCC supporting young diplomats. “In mid-May this year, we will have the first ever young diplomats program,” he said.

“That is a program where young diplomats from the GCC will come to Bruges in Belgium and they will have joint training and joint simulations with our young diplomats from the EU.

“In Bruges, there is the Diplomatic Academy of the EU. It is a new project in order to train European diplomats. And we will have a first ever project between the EU and GCC where your young diplomats will be trained and will be in simulations with our young diplomats.

Di Maio with Arab News Deputy Editor-in-Chief Noor Nugali.

“It will be very important to explain better how it works, the complicated machine of the EU, but in particular, this is an opportunity to bring closer our diplomats, our youths.

“And I hope that these kinds of projects, like for the diplomats, will be opportunities for students as well, for young workers as well. We will work on this kind of people-to-people interactions because they are crucial in order to bring our societies closer.

“And, if I may, as we bring our people closer, there will be less Islamophobia, less hate. And this is very important for our societies.”