We have been informing those going to the Middle East and those who are planning a minor hajj pilgrimage."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian government has appealed to Indonesian pilgrims to take care of their health while performing the minor hajj pilgrimage, due to the reported cases of the MERS-CoV infections in several Arab countries.
"Look after your health and resilience while on a minor hajj pilgrimage," deputy coordinating minister for peoples welfare in health, population and family planning Emil Agustiono said here on Tuesday.
She said a person could be vulnerable to virus infections if he or she is in poor health.
She said those traveling to Middle Eastern countries must be alert if their body temperature rises and "must have their health condition checked immediately."
Emil said she had received a report that an Indonesian citizen had contracted the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus (MERS-CoV) infection.
She said that if the case is confirmed, the Indonesian government would follow it up.
"The government would increase awareness and make efforts to prevent the disease," she said.
She said the government would also launch an information campaign about the disease especially among those who are likely to travel to the Middle East.
"We have been informing those going to the Middle East and those who are planning a minor hajj pilgrimage," she said.
Cases of infections would be given a complete checkup on arrival back home, she added.
The Indonesian ministry of health has reported that an Indonesian citizen is currently being treated at King Saud Hospital in Jeddah for suspected MERS-CoV.
(Reporting by Wuryanti Puspitasari/H-YH/INE/KR-BSR/B003)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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