Page 310 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (IV)_Neat

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The two remaining places of entry into the Island arc Muharraq Jetty and P.C.L. Sitra Wharf.
Traffic at neither is very heavy and usually consists of 3-.} launches or dhows per week.
Quarantinublc Disease.—No case of Smallpox, Cholera, Plague, Typhus l'cvcr or Relapsing
Fever occurred during the year. There were strong rumours that Smallpox had broken out about
the middle of the year but no case was confirmed and in view of the large number of the community
not vaccinated, I feel that even one or two actual eases would have given rise to an uuconccalablc
outbreak.
Restrictions Imposed.—Certificates of vaccination against Smallpox were required from
arrivals from all countries and in addition, Cholera certificates in the ease of travellers from Pakistan
and India and Yellow Fever Certificates from those coming from delineated Yellow Fever endemic
areas. The small outbreak of Plague in Yemen was carefully watched but it was not found necessary
to impose immunization restrictions on that territory.
The Mecca Pilgrimage of the Year 1370 Hegira (A.D. 1951).— Arrangements for the
pilgrims passing through Bahrain were much more satisfactory this year than formerly as many of
them travelled under the auspices of travel agents who accommodate them in local hotels whilst
awaiting onward transport. A transit camp was established at the airport for those coming by air.
There were others, however, who had made no arrangements for their accommodation here and who
created a nuisance by squatting on Manamah Jetty and other places. A supervised camp for all these
travellers is most desirable especially as this traffic is likely to increase in future years. It is estimated
that this year about 3,000 pilgrims passed through Bahrain. All the pilgrims were free from infec­
tions and possessed certificates of vaccination against Smallpox, Cholera and in some eases. Plague.
Many of the older ones felt the strain of the journey very much and there was one death from Senility
and Heat Exhaustion. The Government Hospital provided medical care for all.
Quarantine Station.—This was not used as such during the year but it was employed as transit
camp for sonic Leprosy eases and the Somali refugees.

Conclusion.—The fact that no quarantinablc disease occurred during the year, docs not
give any grounds for relaxation of control. The adverse factors continue to be the relatively large
number of the population unimmunized, the lack of proper sanitation both here and in neighbouring
territories and the close contact by air with endemic Smallpox and Cholera areas.
Number of persons arriving in Bahrain :
Without
certificate of
vaccination.
Manamah and Muharraq
49.997 8.645
Muharraq Airport I5.5S9 183
Sitra Port ......................... IIO Nil
Total 65,696 8.828

Number of ships calling at Bahrain :
Sitra..................................... 987
Manamah ......................... 126

Total 1,113

Number of ships granted pratique :
After boarding
270
Without boarding 843
Total
1.113