Following an invitation from the Government of Saudi Arabia, a high level team from the Regional Office participated in a technical mission to observe the public health measures undertaken by Saudi Arabia for the hajj pilgrimage 1432/2011. The team visited the field hospitals set up at selected points of entry to see the curative, preventive and promotive health services provided for pilgrims. They also reviewed the public surveillance systems for early detection of and response to infectious disease outbreaks and assessed the risk communication messages given to the pilgrims. The WHO team noted the high level of health care services and public health services made available to the pilgrims, which facilitated the performance of their religious duties free from ill health, with comfort and peace of mind. H.E. Dr Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al-Rabeeah, Minister of Health, Saudi Arabia, in presence of the WHO team, announced at a press conference held on 8 November, that the Hajj season 1432/2011 had been  free of any outbreak of communicable diseases or major health event.