Egypt reports first case of coronavirus in Africa amid fears for poorer nations
- Authorities say a foreigner tested positive without any symptoms and has been isolated in hospital in stable condition
- WHO is racing to equip laboratories so they can test for the virus and avert an outbreak on the continent, which has close ties with China
Health experts and African leaders have expressed concern that poorer countries may struggle to cope if the virus spread to the continent. Fears for nations with weaker health systems prompted the World Health Organisation to declare the outbreak of the virus – which originated in China – a global public health emergency in January.
Its director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus last week said the WHO was racing to equip laboratories in vulnerable African countries with the “capacity to rapidly diagnose cases” to avert an outbreak.
The WHO and Egypt’s health ministry on Friday confirmed the country’s first case was a foreign national who had been isolated in hospital and was in stable condition. Health ministry spokesman Khaled Megahed said the patient had tested positive for the virus without any symptoms, and the WHO had been informed and measures taken to limit its spread.
The WHO said its Egypt office was working closely with health officials in the North African nation, taking “outbreak investigation and response actions”.
The country’s Eastern Mediterranean neighbour, the United Arab Emirates, had reported eight cases, the WHO said.