Indonesian Pilgrim in Saudi Arabia Tests Positive for Mers Cov

By: Ageng Wibowo Jakarta (Antara) - An Indonesian umrah pilgrim from Makassar, South Sulawesi, has reportedly tested positive for the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome - Corona virus, MERS-CoV, and has been admitted to King Fahd Hospital Jeddah. According to a press release from the Consulate General of Indonesia in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, received here Saturday, the Indonesian is Jumallang Kaneng Lejja, aged 84 years, who entered Saudi Arabia on April 15 and was scheduled to return to Indonesia on April 25. "A King Fahd Hospital medical officer said that Jumallang was taken to the hospital by his son, Syafrudin, on April 28 after experiencing pain in his chest, and is being treated in the Intensive Care Unit," said Syarif Shahabudin, a spokesman for the Consulate General in Jeddah. Jumallang was found to have been infected by the MERS-CoV virus and is receiving intensive medical care in the hospital's isolation ward at Jeddah¿s King Fahd Hospital. "The doctor said that Jumallang's health condition is showing an improvement and is expected to gradually progress during the medical treatment," Syarif said. As a precautionary step, the hospital will also check Jumallang's son, Syafrudin, for the MERS CoV virus infection on Sunday, May 11. Sharif added that the Indonesian Consulate is continuously monitoring the handling of this virus case by coordinating with the hospital and other parties. "At the same time, the dissemination of information is being intensively carried out to increase awareness among the Indonesian people about the dangers of the MERS-CoV virus, since a vaccine has not yet been created," Sharif said. (*)