Three people have died from an infectious disease in Johannesburg, the Gauteng health department said on Sunday.
”We are on high alert following the confirmation of three cases of an unknown highly infectious disease which has since led to three deaths,” said the department in a statement.
The first patient was a woman from Zambia who was critically ill when she arrived on September 12 in South Africa.
She was treated for tick-bite fever and other potential infections at the Morningside Medi-Clinic.
”Two days later she died. Blood samples were taken and the results were not conclusive of any particular disease, including the viral hemorrhagic fevers.”
The second patient was a Zambian male paramedic who had accompanied the first patient.
He was admitted to the same hospital on September 27 with flu-like symptoms and treated for a variety of infections.
”His condition initially improved but later deteriorated on Wednesday, October 1 and he died the following day.”
Then a nurse at the Morningside Medi-Clinic — who had come into contact with the first patient — became ill with flu-like symptoms and was subsequently admitted to Sir Albert Robinson hospital on the West Rand on Wednesday.
”Her condition deteriorated on Saturday and she passed away today [Sunday]. Viral hemorrhagic fever and other formidable infectious diseases were negative.”
According to the department, healthcare workers and family members were being monitored for raised temperatures and flu-like symptoms for a period of 21 days.
”Steve Biko Academic and Charlotte Maxeke Academic hospitals are on high alert and ready to handle any cases related to this situation, ” the department said. – Sapa