By Kim Rahn
A woman died from pneumonia caused by an unidentified virus, according to the health authorities.
Fears are rampant as seven others, mostly pregnant women, are hospitalized with the same illness.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday that a 36-year-old woman, who had been in the intensive care unit at a Seoul general hospital, died in the morning from a cerebral hemorrhage related to her condition. The unidentified woman was one of seven hospitalized for an unknown viral pneumonia.
The woman, who was nine months pregnant, visited the hospital on April 8 and she was diagnosed with tuberculosis. Three days later she was admitted to the unit as her condition worsened despite medication. Premature labor was induced so she could receive further treatment.
Soon after giving birth she rapidly developed pulmonary fibrosis while showing symptoms of cerebral hemorrhaging and died.
The authorities are studying to distinguish the virus. “It will take some time to identify through DNA tests what caused the pneumonia. It is critical to determine whether the virus that caused the pulmonary fibrosis is a new strain that has not been reported before,” an official of the centers said.
As to the fact that seven out of the eight patients are women who recently gave birth or are expecting soon, the authorities said it is too early to say the disease is prevalent particularly among pregnant women.
“According to theses, 1.51 out of every 1,000 pregnant women contract pneumonia, and the cause is unknown in 30 percent of the cases. Pregnant women should not be overly concerned,” the official said.