, Chicago, IL, USA) software was Selleck BKM120 used for all statistical analyses. A total of 782 arriving pilgrims were examined before the 2009 Hajj season with 432 questionnaires filled and 519 nasal and throat swabs examined. A total of 2,768 pilgrims were examined after the 2009 Hajj season with 2,730 questionnaires filled

and 2,699 nasal and throat swabs examined. Table 1 shows the demographic and clinical characteristics of arriving and departing pilgrims in the survey samples. The mean age of the two groups combined was 49.4 years (SD ± 13.5 y). The mean age of pilgrims in the arrival survey (44.7 y) was significantly less than among pilgrims in the departure survey. Those aged >60 years represented 24% of the samples of arriving pilgrims and 11% of the sample of departing pilgrims. The majority of pilgrims were male (58%); this proportion was higher among arriving pilgrims (75%) than among departing pilgrims (56%). Arriving pilgrims were mainly

(63%) Middle Eastern (including 10% Saudi); 37% were Asian or African. Table 2 shows that the majority of arriving pilgrims described their health as excellent (49%) or at least very good (33%). Only 13% stated they had a chronic disease, namely hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, or asthma. None of the pre-Hajj population was a current smoker and the majority (85%) stated they had never smoked. Table 2 also shows the vaccination status of arriving pilgrims. The majority (84%) stated that they had received at least one vaccine before the Hajj. Interleukin-2 receptor Coverage for meningococcal and seasonal influenza vaccine in both groups combined was relatively high (73% and 53%, respectively), selleck screening library but coverage for pandemic influenza A(H1N1) vaccine was considerably lower (30%). The reasons reported for not getting the seasonal influenza vaccine in the past year were lack of knowledge about the vaccine (41%), did not know it was required (20%), did not know where to get it (15%), felt healthy and was not worried about influenza (14%), and did not think influenza is a serious illness (9%). In all, 35% of arriving pilgrims reported wearing

a face mask. Although meningococcal vaccination is a Hajj requirement for all pilgrims arriving into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), unfortunately compliance with this requirement is not 100%. The government of KSA does not send back pilgrims who are found not to be vaccinated; instead they are administered prophylactic antibiotics and allowed to complete the Hajj ritual. Table 3 shows the knowledge of H1N1 among arriving pilgrims. The majority of pilgrims believed that H1N1 is a serious disease (76%). However, they were roughly split in expressing their worry about catching pandemic influenza A(H1N1) during Hajj, with 47% worried and 53% not worried. More than half (56%) of pilgrims were aware of fever as a main symptom of H1N1 influenza. However, not more than a quarter were aware that sore throat (26%), cough (24%), and headache (22%) were also main symptoms of H1N1 influenza.