Tanggerang, Banten (ANTARA News) - An Indonesian man has tested positive for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (Mers CoV) in Abu Dhabi, confirmed the Indonesian Ministry of Health.

"An Indonesian man tested positive for Mers CoV, and he is still in Abu Dhabi," stated the ministry's spokesman, Muhammad Subhan, here on Wednesday.

Subhan remarked that the infected Indonesian citizen was on Umrah pilgrimage, and now, must undergo intensive medical treatment in one of Abu Dhabi's hospitals.

"The patient is now prohibited to return home to Indonesia following his positive status for Mers CoV and must undergo medical treatment," Subhan added.

According to the Indonesian Health Ministry, of the 169 suspected cases of Mers CoV, 161 tested negative for the virus, while the remaining eight are still under medical examination.

"We are still monitoring the eight Mers CoV suspected cases for the next 14 days and will check their blood samples," Subhan explained.

Until now, no one has tested positive for Mers CoV in Indonesia. The country is still free from Mers CoV," Subhan noted.

As of May 14, 2014, MERS-CoV cases have been reported in several countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Jordan, Qatar, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, Kuwait, Oman, Algeria, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Editor: Ade P Marboen
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