Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia

Warning - Level 3, Avoid Nonessential Travel

Alert - Level 2, Practice Enhanced Precautions

Watch - Level 1, Practice Usual Precautions

Map of Mecca showing Hajj rituals
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The annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is among the largest mass gatherings in the world. It draws about 3 million Muslims from around the world, and more than 11,000 Americans make the pilgrimage each year. This year, Hajj will take place from approximately September 20–25, 2015. Umrah is a similar pilgrimage that can be undertaken at any time of the year but is likely to be more crowded during the month of Ramadan (approximately June 17 to July 17, 2015).

Because of the crowds, mass gatherings such as Hajj and Umrah are associated with unique health risks. If you plan to travel to Saudi Arabia for Hajj or Umrah, follow CDC’s recommendations, such as being up-to-date on your vaccines, to help keep you safe and healthy.

What can travelers do to protect themselves?

Before your trip:

Schedule an appointment at least 4–6 weeks before your trip. Talk to your doctor or nurse about vaccines and medicines recommended for Saudi Arabia. See the Find a Clinic webpage for help in finding a travel medicine clinic near you.
- The Meningitis (Meningococcal disease) vaccine is required if you are traveling to Saudi Arabia to take part in a pilgrimage.
- CDC recommends all travelers be up-to-date on routine vaccines, including measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis,varicella (chickenpox), polio, and influenza.
- Other recommended vaccines may include hepatitis A, typhoid, hepatitis B, and rabies.
  - If coming from a country other than the US, you may need a yellow fever or polio vaccine.
- Medicine for malaria and travelers’ diarrhea may be also recommended.
For the last several years, the Saudi Ministry of Health has recommended that the following groups postpone travel:
- People older than 65 years
- Children younger than 12 years
- Pregnant women
- People with chronic diseases (such as heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, or respiratory disease)
- People with weakened immune systems or who take drugs that suppress the immune system
- People with cancer or terminal illness

Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
Pack a travel health kit.
Monitor travel warnings and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .

Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.

During your trip:

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome

The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak is ongoing in the Arabian Peninsula. CDC has issued a MERS travel alert with health recommendations to reduce your risk of infection.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Avoid close contact with sick people.
The World Health Organization considers people with diabetes, kidney failure, chronic lung disease, and/or weakened immune systems to be at high risk for severe disease from MERS and recommends that people with any of these conditions take additional precautions:
- Avoid contact with camels.
- Do not drink raw camel milk or raw camel urine.
- Do not eat undercooked meat, particularly camel meat.
At this time, CDC does not recommend that travelers change their plans because of MERS. Most instances of person-to-person spread of MERS have occurred in healthcare workers and other close contacts (such as family members and care givers) of people sick with MERS. Discuss travel plans with your doctor if you have concerns.
For more information on travel health recommendations related to the MERS outbreak, please see the CDC MERS travel notice.

Follow security and safety guidelines. Hajj is one of the largest mass gatherings in the world.
- Avoid the most densely congested areas and perform rituals during non-peak hours. Know where emergency exits are and how to get to them..
- Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp.
- Carry the contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate in Saudi Arabia and local emergency service numbers.
- Follow all local laws and social customs .
Follow food and water safety guidelines: Eating contaminated food and drinking contaminated water can cause illnesses such as hepatitis A, typhoid fever, andtravelers’ diarrhea. Read about how to prevent these diseases by visiting the Safe Food and Water page. Beware of food from street vendors, ice in drinks, and other foods and drinks that may be contaminated and cause travelers’ diarrhea.

Prevent mosquito bites and use insect repellent: Diseases spread by mosquitoes, such as malaria and dengue, are a risk in Saudi Arabia. Read more about ways to prevent bug bites by visiting the Avoid Bug Bites page.
Follow guidelines for hot climates: Dehydration and heat-related illnesses are common during Umrah and Hajj. Temperatures in Mecca can easily exceed 100°F in the summer and early fall. Drink plenty of (bottled!) water, keep cool, and wear sunscreen. Read more about how to prevent these conditions by visiting the Travel to Hot Climates and Sun Exposure pages.
Use disposable, single-use blades for head shaving: Unclean blades can transmit disease. Male pilgrims should go to officially designated centers to be shaved, where barbers are licensed and use disposable, single-use blades.
Avoid swimming in fresh water—lakes and rivers: Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection that can be spread in fresh water that may cause serious health problems. It is a low risk in Saudi Arabia but still present.
Choose safe transportation: Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries. Read about ways to prevent transportation injuries by visiting the Road Safety page.
If you feel sick during your trip:
- Talk to a doctor or nurse if you feel seriously ill, especially if you have a fever.
- For more information about medical care abroad, see Getting Health Care Abroad.
- Avoid contact with other people while you are sick.

After your trip:

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic. Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.
For more information, see Getting Sick after Travel.