SOLO – The authority of Adi Soemarmo Solo Airport has intensified the utilization of the thermo scanner at the international arrival gate, to anticipate the spread of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus possibly carried by passengers from the Middle East. The Airport Operation and Readiness Section Head of Angkasa Pura Airports branch of Adi Soemarmo Airport, Rini Sri Rahayu, said that this thermo scanner has been set up since the spread of H1N1 virus or swine flu a few years ago.
The thermo scanner is installed at the international arrival, at the immigration, thus all passengers must go through the process for detection, including the Indonesian Migrant Workers (TKI). “There is one unit already set up for every international arrival and there is one standby officer from the Port Health Office (KKP) to scan the passengers,†Rini explained in the press meeting at her office, on Thursday (8/5)
She further explained that this instrument can detect the body temperature of the passenger and if the passenger is suspected to be infected, then the passenger will be directly referred to the Port Health Office (KPP) or referred to a hospital for further examination and treatment. However, she claimed that, up to now, no passenger has been found as a suspect or indicated of contracting that virus.
Rini said that the number of Umrah group travellers departing from Adi Soemarmo Airport is likely to rise due to the cut of the Hajj quota by 20% next year. She also added that the threat from this disease has no implications towards the service of direct flights from Solo- Jeddah since the demand for this route is very high for Umrah travellers.
The Head Section of Health Effort cross KPP Area in Semarang, Arqu Aminuzab, said that the use of the thermo scanner has been intensified again at Adi Soemarmo Airport and Ahmad Yani Airport. He explained, although these two airports do not serve direct flights to the Middle East, yet these airports have many Umrah passengers arriving from the Middle East. In addition, the airport authority has also distributed leaflets to potential passengers heading to the Middle East to advise passengers to take meningitis vaccine shots at KKP. [Diani Sekaring Sejati/Source: Solopos]
