Media Statement

The first patient who is from Zambia was critically ill upon arrival in South Africa and was treated for tick-bite fever and other potential infections at Morningside Medi-Clinic private hospital in Johannesburg. The patient arrived in the country on 12 September and died two days later. Blood samples were taken and the results were not conclusive of any particular disease including the Viral Hemorrhagic fevers.

The second patient, a paramedic (also from Zambia) had accompanied the first patient. He was admitted on the 27th September at the same facility with flu-like symptoms and treated for a variety of infections. The patient’€™s condition initially improved but later deteriorated on Wednesday 1st October and died the following day. Investigations for viral hemorrhagic fever and other formidable infectious diseases were conducted and the results came out negative.

The third patient, a nurse at Morningside Medi-clinic who came into contact with the first patient became ill with flu-like symptoms and subsequently admitted at Sir Albert Robinson hospital in the West-Rand on the 1st October. Her condition deteriorated yesterday and she passed away today, 05 October. Similar to all the above cases, viral hemorrhagic fever and other formidable infectious diseases are negative.

Systems are in place to follow-up all the contacts that the deceased interacted with. Healthcare workers and family members are 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.  

Members of the community with travel history to Zambia during the last month and who suffer from raised temperatures or flu-like symptoms are requested to present to the nearest health facility for a medical examination or contact Dr Chika Asomugha (Gauteng health Department) on 082 330 1490.

To read more about viral hemorrhagic fevers click here