MERS-CoV Spreads In Saudi Arabia, Ministry Of Health Urges Indonesian Congregants To Be Alert

Hajj Illustration In Makkah (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) appealed to pilgrims to be aware of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus (MERS-CoV), following the findings of the three latest cases until April 2024 in Saudi Arabia.

"The effort is to appeal to the congregation to always be aware of various diseases, including MERS-CoV with healthy behavior and avoid transmission sources," said Head of the Hajj Health Center of the Ministry of Health, Liiek Marhaendro Susilo, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, May 14.

On May 8, 2024, WHO reported Disease Outbreak News or MERS CoV disease outbreak in Saudi Arabia, in response to the findings of three cases on April 10 and 17, 2024, one of which was reported dead.

A WHO report sourced from the Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) said the case was experienced by a man from Riyadh aged between 56-60 years with comorbidities and not a health worker.

"The three cases are epidemiologically linked to exposures to health care facilities in Riyadh, although investigations are still ongoing to verify this and understand the transmission route," reads a notification from WHO.

Since early 2024, the Government of Saudi Arabia has reported a total of four cases and two deaths from MERS-CoV that occurred in the local area.

Member of the Emergency Committe MERS CoV WHO for the 2013-2015 period Prof. Tjandra Yoga Aditama said the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia had examined 27 health workers who were in contact with the case. So far, all of them are healthy and PCR is negative for MERS-CoV.

"In this case, it should be reminded that the MERS CoV stands for the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus. So this attacks the lungs and breathing, just like COVID-19. The cause is also the Corona virus, although the type is different," he said.

Responding to this information, Liliek said that the efforts that can be made by prospective hajj candidates are to maintain the health and fitness of the body with the intake of nutritious food that is well processed, if necessary, add vitamins.

In addition, Liliek also suggested wearing a mask while in a crowded place, maintaining personal hygiene, washing hands with soap or using hand sanitizer.

"Out of worship time, getting enough rest, not visiting onta farms, and avoiding direct contact with onta," he said.

Liliek ensures that Indonesian health care facilities in Saudi Arabia are ready to treat patients, when transmission occurs.

The Indonesian Ministry of Health facilitates the Indonesian Hajj Health Clinic (KKHI) located in the Makkah and Daker Madinah Working Areas at the level of service for Type C hospitals in Indonesia, with the support of 68 medical personnel from the medical profession, specialist doctors to pharmacists.

KKHI Medina is in the District of AL Aridh providing services for Emergency Units (EGD), High Care Units (HCUs), dentists and specialist doctors, laboratories, pharmaceuticals, and radiology.

In addition, 10 ambulances were also provided to mobilize and evacuate sick pilgrims. Ambulance operations were placed at Medina Airport and at KKHI.

KKHI Medina is also equipped with an inpatient room with a capacity of 62 beds consisting of 10 beds in the ER, eight beds in the HCU, eight beds in the psychiatric room, and 18 beds for female inpatient care and male inpatient room.