Egypt has reported its first death from Swine Flu, with the country’s health ministry reporting that a 28-year-old woman returning from a pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia has died as a result of the H1N1 influenza virus.According to The Daily News Egypt, there have been 120 cases of the virus in Egypt.
Ministry spokesman Abdel Rahman Shahin said the woman, Samah El Sayed Salim, died on Sunday due to complications from the virus, after having returned to Egypt three days ago from Saudi Arabia.
Shahin said that the woman had suffered heart and blood problem, which could have complicated the condition with the flu virus.
The death comes as Egypt continues to discuss whether or not to cancel the Haj – the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca required of all able Muslims. The death will likely push the debate.
The number of Swine Flu cases in the Arab countries has been growing, with Saudi Arabia recording the highest number of cases.