No Indonesian pilgrim infected with Ebola virus: deputy health minister

Indonesian deputy Health Minister Ali Gufron said on Monday that there was no Indonesian pilgrim infected with Ebola virus or Corona virus, which are spreading in Saudi Arabia.

The deputy minister said the death of pilgrims from Indonesia in the Middle East country was caused mostly by cardiovascular disease, followed by respiratory and other diseases.

"Until now there is no fatality linked with Ebola virus or Corona virus. We thank to God," he said at the Health Ministry.

As many as 109 Indonesian pilgrims died in Saudi Arabia when they were performing hajj pilgrimage this year, rising from 86 people last year.

In 2012, 141 Indonesian pilgrims died in Saudi Arabia and in 2011,145 people.

Indonesian government has been successful in stopping the spread of H5N1 virus in the country, which had been hit hardest by the virus with more than 100 deaths.

Most of Indonesia's 238 million population are Muslims, and the country sends thousands of Muslims to Saudi Arabia annually to perform hajj pilgrimage.

source: http://www.globalpost.com