The symptoms suffered by MERS-CoV patients were similar to those of bird flu sufferers, such as high fever, coughing, and breathing difficulties.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian government will offer cooperation to Saudi Arabia and other countries in tackling the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus (MERS-CoV), Health Minister Nafsiah Mboi emphasized here on Friday.

"We have discussed with the Foreign Ministry that we will offer cooperative assistance in view of Indonesias experience in handling the bird flu virus," she asserted.

She explained that the symptoms suffered by MERS-CoV patients were similar to those of bird flu sufferers, such as high fever, coughing, and breathing difficulties.

She stated that they will offer technical cooperation on how to control the disease in a more intensive manner.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Ministry of Health issued a warning to the people, especially those on a minor Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, to be alert towards the MERS-CoV.

"They have all been notified, including would-be minor Hajj pilgrims and travel agents," she added.

The minister remarked that all the airport health centers have also been provided with equipment to monitor the body temperature of passengers arriving from abroad, especially from Arab countries where cases of the virus have been reported.

"In case symptoms are found, check immediately. The faster one reports the case the better it will be, as it will help to control the virus from further spreading. Do not forget to tell the health worker if you just arrived from an Arab country," she reiterated.

The World Health Organization has so far recorded 10 new cases in Saudi Arabia in the past 24 hours on April 30, in Mecca, Jeddah, and Madinah.

An Indonesian citizen died of MERS-CoV in Mecca, last week, but no case has been found in Indonesia.

"Thank God, no minor Hajj pilgrims from Indonesia have contracted the disease so far. Some have had symptoms similar to those suffered by MERS-CoV patients, but after being checked the test results were all negative," she added. (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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