Saudi Arabia reports first H1N1 deaths among pilgrims

Saudi Arabia said on Saturday four pilgrims had died of the new H1N1 flu virus three days before the massive Muslim haj is due to begin, al-Hayat newspaper said.

The Health Ministry said the deaths were among pilgrims who came from outside Saudi Arabia, al-Hayat online news said. Some 3 million Muslim pilgrims take part in the haj in the holy city of Mecca every year, including up to 2 million who travel from abroad. Haj rituals this year start on Wednesday. (Reuters)