Ugandan Muslim pilgrims who are in the Saudi Arabian cities of Mecca and Medina for the annual Hajj are still safe despite an outbreak of H1N1 flu commonly known as Swine Flu, Daily Monitor has learnt.

Uganda Hajj Mission chairman, Sheik Hassan Kirya told Daily Monitor in telephone conservation from Mecca today that all Ugandan pilgrims were still in good health even though four non-Ugandan pilgrims have since died of the flu.

"We thank Allah that all our people are still in good health and we pray that the virus doesn't strike us during the remaining days," Sheik Kirya said. At least 1200 Ugandan pilgrims received Saudi Visas to participate in this year's Hajj rituals.

He said although some of them had developed the mild symptoms like cough-which affects many pilgrims every year, none of them has manifested signs of swine flu.

"The doctors we travelled with are working hard to contain this (cough) and they are also on standby to handle any eventualities together with Saudi medics," he said.

Swine flu presents itself with a high fever, headache, cough and flu that do not respond to the usual medications.

Saudi Arabia Health Ministry said none of the four foreign victims had been vaccinated against the H1N1 virus.

Latest figures from the World Health Organization indicate that the virus has so far killed 6,750 people worldwide.

Sheik Kirya said all Ugandan pilgrims were tested for swine flu before left the country.

"It was mandatory on days of departure to check the temperature of all the people we traveled with and good enough none of the pilgrims' temperature was above 37 degrees Celsius,"he said.

"A reading of 38 degrees or more could be an indication of a serious infection such as swine flu," Sheik Kirya added.

He urged all pilgrims to abide by the laws of Saudi Arabia and follow the rules of the leaders in their groups.