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WHO declares MERS not 'extraordinary event': Minister
Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali said the World Health Organization (WHO) had not yet declared Middle East Respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus to be a âextraordinary eventâ
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eligiousAffairs Minister Suryadharma Ali said the World Health Organization (WHO) hadnot yet declared Middle East Respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus to be a 'extraordinaryevent'.
However, he said, Indonesia would still monitor the situation due to high number of pilgrims that visited Saudi Arabia each year. According to the ministry, each month 150,000 people traveled to the country for unmrah (minor haj pilgrimage).
'The elderly, pregnant women and children are high risk. So, we recommend they cancel their trips,' Suryadharma said as quoted by Antara news agency on Tuesday.
He said the ministry, along with the Health Ministry, was monitoring all pilgrims, including those deemed vulnerable.
He added that the two ministries would also disseminate information related to MERS to the pilgrims.
Suryadharma said further that the ministry had regularly warned pilgrims to maintain basic hygiene and undertake extra preventive efforts, such as wearing masks and avoiding slaughterhouses and animal farms.
'Pilgrims suffering from respiratory problems should immediately get treatment,' he added.
Previously, Fidiansjah, head of the Health Center for Haj Pilgrims, said the situation was not yet an emergency at the national level. He several hospitals were still treating susepected-MERS paitients.
'The WHO has not issued travel warnings in relation with prevention of the virus transmission. It only issued 'travel advice',' he added. As many as two suspected-MERS patients have died in Indonesia. (gda/dic)
