Mers Virus Does not Affect Tourism Sector: Minister

Denpasar (Antara) - The recent outbreak of Middle East Respiratory syndrome, MeRS-CoV, will not affect tourism in Bali, in general, in Indonesia, said Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Mari Elk Pangestu. "I am pretty sure that the virus will not affect the tourism sector in Indonesia, as long as the tourism organizations are preparing for the deadly virus, although the virus originated in the Middle East," said Marie here on Saturday. The minister also praised the Indonesian government for the immediate steps taken in handling and anticipating the spread of the MeRS-CoV outbreak. Although the virus outbreak is not affecting tourism in Bali, continuing monitoring and education efforts throughout the tourism industry in Bali is needed. "I expect tour guides, hotels and restaurants must learn to monitor visitors to prevent the possibility of the virus spreading," said Marie. Minister Marie explained that one of the efforts is to be more proactive with guests who are coming from the Middle East. Tour guides in Bali are being asked to immediately report to medical officers if they observe guests showing any symptoms of MeRS-CoV so they can be referred to a hospital for treatment. "Potential MeRS-CoV patients must be medically treated immediately in a hospital before the disease can be transmitted from person to person," Marie added. Meanwhile, health officials at Ngurah Rai Airport Bali are now installing thermal scanners to monitor arriving travelers body temperatures. The airport's health officers will quarantine any travelers found with MeRS-CoV symptoms in a special quarantine area at the arrival gate of the international airport. The MERS-CoV disease in the Middle East has raised international alarm in recent weeks, with a surge in infections and deaths in Saudi Arabia. There is currently no cure or vaccine for MERS - a severe respiratory disease which causes coughing, fever, shortness of breath, and can lead to pneumonia and kidney failure. (*)