Over 100 Kaduna State’s hajj pilgrims were affected by suspected food contamination from vendors.
An illness suspected to be gastro-enteritis, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, the head of the Federal Medical Team, confirmed.
“Meanwhile, prophylactic antibiotics have been given to all pilgrims that were around the tent and contact tracing has been carried out by my surveillance team,” he said. “We suspect the pilgrims may have eaten contaminated food from illegal food vendors instead of meal prepared by the National Hajj Commission.”
Kana said all the victims were discharged after treatment. He, however, disclosed that the Federal Medical team is working with the epidemiology department of the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health to ascertain the causative organism.
A pilgrim confirmed that the outbreak occurred at the women’s wing of the state’s Mina camp and that the cholera outbreak may not be unconnected with the attitude of some of our pilgrims, especially those from the rural areas who are not familiar with how to use the water system toilets.”