TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Liliek Marhaendro Susilo, Head of the Health Ministry's Hajj Health Center, confirmed that no Indonesian Hajj pilgrims have, so far, been exposed to the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), a viral infection prevalent in the Middle East.
"Alhamdulillah, no Indonesian Hajj pilgrims have been infected with the virus," Liliek said via a messaging application on Tuesday night, June 3, 2025.
As of today, he explained, while 129 pilgrims have died and 151 are currently hospitalized, none of these cases were caused by MERS-CoV. The majority of illnesses involved pneumonia, often accompanied by complications from underlying diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, as well as acute ischemic heart disease and cardiogenic shock.
Previously, the Health Ministry had issued an alert to Indonesian Hajj pilgrims regarding reported cases of MERS-CoV infection in Saudi Arabia. This warning was issued ahead of the arrival of the second wave of Hajj pilgrims on May 17, 2025.
According to World Health Organization (WHO) data, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health reported nine positive MERS-CoV cases between March 1 and April 21, 2025. Eight cases were identified in Riyadh and one in Hail. Tragically, two of these patients succumbed to the illness.
Mohammad Imran, Head of the Health Division of the Saudi Arabian Hajj Organizing Committee (PPIH), clarified that MERS-CoV is a severe respiratory disease primarily transmitted through direct contact with infected animals, especially camels, and via human-to-human droplets. Initial symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, which can progress to serious complications.
"We urge pilgrims to avoid direct contact with camels, including refraining from taking pictures with them, drinking camel milk from farms, and consuming camel products whose cleanliness cannot be guaranteed," Imran advised in an official statement on Friday, May 16, 2025.
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