First suspected death from MERS coronavirus

A woman who died in Port Said early Monday is suspected to be the first victim of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), which is caused by a coronavirus, in Egypt. Health Ministry officials, however, have stated that the cause of death is unconfirmed and tests are currently being conducted, state-owned MENA reports.

The woman, who was in her 60s and had just returned from Umra in Saudi Arabia, died in the Port Said Fever Hospital on Monday, reported the privately owned Youm7. Doctors at the hospital told Youm7 that she exhibited all symptoms of the virus.

She had been in good health and suffered no illnesses until returning from Saudi Arabia a week ago. A day later she felt short of breath and went to the public hospital, before she was transferred to the fever hospital. Soon after, she had a high fever and high blood and sugar levels.

The Health Ministry has said that the tests they are conducting take 72 hours for results to come out.

On Sunday, the ministry said in a statement that there is only one confirmed case of the coronavirus in Egypt, adding that the 57 suspected cases tested negative.

In late April, the Health Ministry announced the first case of MERS in Egypt, a young man coming from Saudi Arabia.

The case was discovered by the quarantine authority at the Cairo International Airport and was transferred to the Abbasseya Fever Hospital.

Symptoms of MERS include high fever, cough, expectoration, and shortness of breath. The illness can also lead to renal failure and severe acute pneumonia, which are potentially fatal. 

The quarantine authority has been documenting addresses of all passengers coming from Saudi Arabia, including pilgrims, and is notifying health departments in all governorates of follow up precautions.

The first case of MERS in the US was discovered on May 2, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 262 people in 12 countries, according to the World Health Organization. Of those, 93 have been fatal, Reuters reported.