Fifteen Malaysian pilgrims were declared free of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) after an health checks showed they did not have any signs or symptoms of the disease.

The pilgrims had returned to Malaysia from the holy land with a man who died of the virus.

"There are no other cases. All those examined tested negative," Health Minister Dr S Subramaniam told reporters after launching community health programme MySihat India 1Malaysia 2014 today.

The 54-year-old man from Batu Pahat, Johor, who returned from Saudi Arabia on March 29, complained of fever, cough and breathing difficulties for 10 days and was admitted to the Sultanah Nora Ismail Hospital on April 10. He died three days later.

However, Subramaniam said the ministry would continue to closely monitor the 15 umrah (minor haj) pilgrims for at least another two weeks. On the programme today, Subramaniam said there was a greater need to increase awareness of a healthy lifestyle among the Indian community in the country.

- Bernama