Mystery disease in Africa identified

Tests may have identified source of unknown disease in Africa, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) has said.

Tests may have identified source of unknown disease in Africa, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) has said.

Preliminary tests indicate that a mystery disease in Zambia and South Africa that has killed three people in the past month is caused by a virus from the family that includes Lassa fever, the WHO announced earlier this week, as reports emerged that a fourth case of the illness has been confirmed.

Analysis is continuing at laboratories in South Africa and the United States to learn more about the virus, believed to be from the Arenaviridae family, according to a news update released by the UN agency.

According to the UN, investigations began after an office employee at a safari tour company in Zambia died on September 14 in a hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa, two days after undergoing a medical evacuation from Zambia.

A paramedic who cared for that patient was later admitted to hospital in Johannesburg and died on October 2, and a nurse who was also involved in the care of the first patient died on October 5.

The three patients experienced fever, headaches, diarrhea and myalgia that developed into rash and hepatic dysfunction, followed by rapid deterioration and death, the UN said citing WHO.

WHO said earlier in the week that a fourth case has now been confirmed, with a nurse who had close contact with one of the earlier cases becoming ill and being admitted to hospital in South Africa.

According to the UN, WHO is working with its partners in the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network to help the health ministries in South Africa and Zambia investigate the outbreak, conduct laboratory diagnosis and become involved in case monitoring and the follow-up with anyone who may have been in contact with sufferers of the disease.

WHO said last Friday that there was no indication yet of any need to restrict travel to or from Zambia or South Africa and no special measures required for passengers arriving from these countries.

At least 121 known contacts of the fatal cases are being traced in South Africa and 23 in Zambia.

The Arenaviridae family contains a wide range of viruses, including that which causes Lassa fever, an acute viral hemorrhagic illness that occurs widely across West Africa. Humans become infected from contact with the urine or feces of rodents.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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