Saudi authorities say pilgrimage season was epidemic-free

Saudi Arabia said on Saturday that this year's hajj season was free of all types of epidemics, and that the health condition of pilgrims was satisfactory.

Saudi Health Minister Ussama Shabkashi hailed, in a statement upon the conclusion of the hajj rituals (major pilgrimage) this year, the cooperation of all governmental departments in Saudi and other Muslim organizations which have enabled the Health Ministry to perform the hajj health plan as scheduled.

Some 1.7 million pilgrims have performed the rituals this year, including 1.27 million non-Saudi nationals.

No cases of malaria or cholera have been reported this year, except for some regular chronic cases.

Pilgrimage is one of the seven pillars of Islam. Muslims, enjoying good health and able to afford it, have to perform pilgrimage at least once in their life.