Egypt reports first case of dangerous respiratory virus; Saudi reports 5 more deaths

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FILE - In this Wednesday, April 16, 2014, file photo, passengers walk past the medical quarantine area showing information sheets for the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus at the arrival section of Manila\'s International Airport in Paranaque, south of Manila. One expert says recent outbreaks of MERS in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates that led to more than 20 infections, many among health-care workers, “have put us into uncharted territory.”Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah sacked the country’s health minister on Monday, April 21, 2014, amid a spike in deaths and infections from the virus known as the Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS. The official Saudi Press Agency carried the royal order that said Abdullah al-Rabiah was relieved of his post as Health Minister, and that Labor Minister Adel Faqih will temporarily take over the health minister’s portfolio until a replacement is named. The statement said al-Rabiah is now adviser to the Royal Court. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila, File)

CAIRO – Egypt’s state news agency says authorities have detected the first case of a SARS-like virus in the country.

MENA says a 27-year-old civil engineer was diagnosed Saturday after returning from Saudi Arabia, where the Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS, has been centred. It says the man was quarantined upon his arrival at Cairo airport Friday and transported to a nearby hospital.

Saudi Arabia’s Health Ministry said late Friday that five more people in the kingdom have died from MERS.

The ministry says 92 people have died and 313 have contracted the virus in Saudi since September 2012. MERS can cause symptoms such as fever, breathing problems, pneumonia and kidney failure.

King Abdullah fired his health minister Monday as officials struggle to alleviate public concerns amid a spike in infections.

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