4th death from mystery illness?

2008-10-06 10:07

Johannesburg - A fourth person is believed to have died of a mystery flu-like illness in Johannesburg, the health department said on Monday.

The latest victim had been a cleaner at the Morningside Medi-Clinic.

"The cleaner fell ill over the weekend and was admitted to Leratong Hospital on the West Rand for treatment, but died early on Monday," said spokesperson Fidel Hadebe.

Three other people presented the same flu-like symptoms at the hospital since September.

The first patient, a Zambian woman arrived at the Morningside Medi-Clinic with flu-like symptoms on September 12. She was treated for tick-bite fever and other potential infections but died two days later.

Tests were not conclusive of any particular disease including viral hemorrhagic fevers.

A Zambian paramedic who had accompanied her into the country died last week and a nurse at the Morningside Clinic died on Sunday.

Cleaner 'a sickly person for a long time'

However, Hadebe said the cleaner had apparently been a very sickly person for a long time and had been in and out of hospitals.

"Her health hasn't been that well, but various tests and post-mortems will be conducted to determine the cause of death.

Those who visited Zambia in the last month and are experiencing the same flu-like symptoms were urged to immediately go to their nearest hospital.

Hadebe said the department was only involved in the testing process and it was up to the private facility to decide on what course of action to take regarding possible quarantining.

- SAPA