SEVERAL CASES OF FATAL ILLNESS , NOVEL ARENAVIRUS STRAIN? - SOUTH AFRICA ex ZAMBIA

tropical · Oct 15, 2008

Re: FATALITIES, NOVEL ARENAVIRUS STRAIN? - SOUTH AFRICA ex ZAMBIA

Re: FATALITIES, NOVEL ARENAVIRUS STRAIN? - SOUTH AFRICA ex ZAMBIA

mixin said:
From the CDC regarding arenavirus: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/spb/mnpages/dispages/arena.htm

Viewed in cross-section, they show grainy particles that are ribosomes acquired from their host cells. It is this characteristic that gave them their name, derived from the Latin "arena," which means "sandy."

Thanks mixin.

I'm related the arenaria item with sand, but what was unclear from the machine (from chinese?) posted text translation of Trey. was the part connected with the words:
"the sand from the Division of HIV virus"

The above was (maybe) an automatic miss-translation,
because if it is not, it pointed to contaminated particles from another place (Division of HIV virus?), speculation: arenavirus contaminated sand dust particles.

The individualy index case infection was obviously at the safari:
"The transmission from a rodent to the index case is compatible with the fact that the index case was involved in organizing safaris, and therefore potentially exposed to rodent dejections in a rural area."

Seems that further spreadings are relatively contained by tracking and isolations.

Treyfish · Oct 15, 2008

Re: SEVERAL CASES OF FATAL ILLNESS , NOVEL ARENAVIRUS STRAIN? - SOUTH AFRICA ex ZAMBIA

<TABLE xmlns:fo="http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Format"><TBODY><TR><TD class=ArticleHead colSpan=2>Arenavirus saga: Two more discharged</TD></TR><TR><TD class=Byline>Sapa </TD><TD class=Published align=right>Published:Oct 15, 2008</TD></TR><TR><TD class=ArticleHead colSpan=2><HR class=ArticleLine width="100%" SIZE=1></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=200 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=200 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=ArticleImg><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=200 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=storybody width=200>

If there are fluctuations in temperature it does not mean that the person has symptoms of the disease, only that closer monitoring is advisable

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>A nursing sister and a laboratory technician who were being monitored after showing symptoms of the recently identified arenavirus have been discharged today, the Morningside Medi-Clinic said. This brings the number of discharged people to six.

The pair, who had been in contact with three others who died after contracting the disease, were admitted to the clinic last week as they had fluctuating temperatures.

"If there are fluctuations in temperature it does not mean that the person has symptoms of the disease, only that closer monitoring is advisable," said spokeswoman Malinda Pelser.

Pelser said a nurse confirmed as being viral haemorrhagic was being treated in the hospital and remained in a stable condition.

Meanwhile, a radiographer has reportedly been admitted to Durban?s St Augustine?s Hospital after displaying symptoms similar to those of the arenavirus.

The radiographer had come into contact with the virus carriers while working at the Morningside clinic, the Mercury newspaper reports. 

However, it said "early indications" were that she did not have the virus.

A tour operator from Zambia, the paramedic who accompanied her to South Africa for treatment, and a health worker who came into contact with her, have died since September 14.

Pelser said a task team of medical experts had for a second time endorsed the infection control procedures at their hospital. 

She said 94 people who had been in contact with those who contracted the disease were being monitored at their homes.

"The results are telephoned in to the Morningside Medi-Clinic," said Pelser.

The monitoring exercise would continue for 21 days from the person?s last close contact with an infected person. 

Meanwhile, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) said on Wednesday there was a need for more effective border control of people with severe illnesses entering South Africa.

"There should be more stringent requirements at ports of entry for assessing the potential danger of the illnesses of foreigners," said spokeswoman Dr Ruth Rabinowitz.

"The death of three individuals and monitoring of approximately 100 also suggest that insufficiently stringent measures are adopted in hospitals when admitting cases of unknown diagnosis from other countries."

Rabinowitz said such patients were nursed in intensive care rooms adjacent to general intensive care facilities and nursed with standard measures for infection control.

"Only once highly contagious forms of disease such as haemorrhagic fever are confirmed ? which takes several days ? will requirements for barrier nursing be enforced."

However, for exposed nurses, cleaning staff or family members, the measure came too late, she said.:tiphat:http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=863754
.
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Treyfish · Oct 15, 2008

Re: SEVERAL CASES OF FATAL ILLNESS , NOVEL ARENAVIRUS STRAIN? - SOUTH AFRICA ex ZAMBIA

Virus control endorsed

Article By:
<SCRIPT language=javascript> document.getElementById("articleAuthor").style.display = "none"; </SCRIPT>Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:09
A task team of medical experts has for a second time endorsed the infection control procedures at the Morningside Medi-Clinic following the death of three people infected with the arenavirus, the clinic's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
"The task team stated previously that the hospital is safe for patients, visitors and medical procedures," Melinda Pelser said.
Meanwhile, the condition of the Morningside Medi-Clinic nurse who contracted the recently identified arenavirus was stable while two other people had been admitted for closer monitoring, Pelser said.
Pelser said another nurse and laboratory technician had been admitted, although neither was suspected of having the viral haemorrhagic fever.
Pelser said a paramedic who had been in contact with one of the patients who died was discharged from the hospital on Tuesday.
"He was not suspected of having the disease," she said.
The hospital was still monitoring all the people who had been in contact with those who had contracted the disease.
"This monitoring is carried out at home, and the results are telephoned in to Morningside Medi-Clinic. Anyone who shows a change in temperature is brought into the hospital for increased temperature monitoring as part of this conservative monitoring protocol."
Pelser said the monitoring exercise would continue for 21 days from the person's last close contact with the infected person.
At least 91 people were being monitored as a precautionary measure.
Sapa :tiphat:http://news.iafrica.com/sa/1049403.htm

Treyfish · Oct 15, 2008

Re: SEVERAL CASES OF FATAL ILLNESS , NOVEL ARENAVIRUS STRAIN? - SOUTH AFRICA ex ZAMBIA

Medic shows symptoms of arena virus

<!--div class="article-pic">

Photo: INLSA </div-->October 15, 2008 Edition 2

A radiographer has been admitted to Durban's St Augustines Hospital after displaying symptoms similar to those of the recently identified arena virus, a news report said.
Cape Argus sister paper The Mercury reported that the radiographer had come into contact with the virus carriers while working at Johannesburg's Morningside Clinic.
A tour operator from Zambia, the paramedic who accompanied her to South Africa for treatment, and a health worker who came into contact with her, have died from the arena virus since September 14.
St Augustine's hospital manager Augusta Dorning told the newspaper that a "seriously ill patient" had been admitted to the hospital. The newspaper reported that "early indications" were that she did not have the virus. Dorning said the hospital was working with the National Institute of Communicable Diseases and the health department.:tiphat:http://www.capeargus.co.za/index.php?from=rss_Cape Argus&fArticleId=4662116

Treyfish · Oct 15, 2008

Re: SEVERAL CASES OF FATAL ILLNESS , NOVEL ARENAVIRUS STRAIN? - SOUTH AFRICA ex ZAMBIA

<TABLE class=border id=HEADLINES cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" bgColor=#b3d2f3 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=fptextBlack style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 5px; PADDING-TOP: 5px" bgColor=#e6e6e6>Has Gauteng's killer virus spread to Durban? 15/10/2008 08:27:17
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There are fears on Wednesday that an outbreak of a killer arenavirus has now spread to Durban after a patient was admitted to St Augustines Hospital with symptoms of the disease.

Hospital officials say it is unlikely that the man has the illness, but tests are being conducted to completely rule that out.

Three people have died from the virus in Johannesburg in the last month while 91 others are still being monitored as a precautionary measure.

Among them is a nursing sister, being treated at Morningside Medi-Clinic, for the virus.

The Health Department says the virus is under control but patients and staff at the Morningside Medi-Clinic where the first cases were reported are not convinced while others are satisfied with precautionary measures that are in place.:tiphat:http://www.702.co.za/news/news.asp#95623
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Treyfish · Oct 15, 2008

Re: SEVERAL CASES OF FATAL ILLNESS , NOVEL ARENAVIRUS STRAIN? - SOUTH AFRICA ex ZAMBIA

Clinic safe from virus? 

15 October 2008
<TABLE cellPadding=5 width=200 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=200 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=RelatedLinksTitle></TD></TR><TR><TD class=RelatedLinks><LI type=square></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>A task team of medical experts has again endorsed the infection control procedures at the Morningside Medi-Clinic following the death of three people infected with the arena virus, the clinic?s spokesman has said.



?The task team stated previously that the hospital is safe for patients, visitors and medical procedures,? Melinda Pelser said yesterday.
Meanwhile, the condition of the Morningside Medi-Clinic nurse who contracted the recently identified arena virus was stable while two other people had been admitted for closer monitoring, Pelser said.
At least 91 people were being monitored as a precautionary measure.:tiphat:http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=863323

Commonground · Oct 15, 2008

Re: SEVERAL CASES OF FATAL ILLNESS , NOVEL ARENAVIRUS STRAIN? - SOUTH AFRICA ex ZAMBIA

Post #142:

A nursing sister and a laboratory technician who were being monitored after showing symptoms of the recently identified arenavirus have been discharged today, the Morningside Medi-Clinic said. This brings the number of discharged people to six.

The pair, who had been in contact with three others who died after contracting the disease, were admitted to the clinic last week as they had fluctuating temperatures.

hmm. I have a nurse and a lab technician admitted on the 13th and 14th. But that is not "last week". That was "this week". Either way, I will put them both down as being discharged.

I also have 6 discharged, but one was discharged from Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, the other 5 from Morningside.

Pelser said a nurse confirmed as being viral haemorrhagic was being treated in the hospital and remained in a stable condition.

This is nurse #2.

Meanwhile, a radiographer has reportedly been admitted to Durban?s St Augustine?s Hospital after displaying symptoms similar to those of the arenavirus.

Treyfish · Oct 15, 2008

Re: SEVERAL CASES OF FATAL ILLNESS , NOVEL ARENAVIRUS STRAIN? - SOUTH AFRICA ex ZAMBIA

KZN ?ready for Arena Virus?
15 Oct 2008

Bheki Mbanjwa

The KwaZulu-Natal Health Department yesterday gave the assurance that it is ready to deal with any possible outbreak of the deadly Arena Virus, which has already claimed the lives of three people in Gauteng.

?Our health facilities are on high alert that if any suspected case [is identified], it should be treated immediately with great caution,? Leon Mbangwa, the spokesman for the department, said yesterday.

He was responding to questions about a possible outbreak of the virus in the province following reports that a patient had been admitted to Durban?s St Augustine?s Hospital on Tuesday.

Hospital manager Augusta Dorning confirmed that a ?seriously ill patient? had been admitted to the hospital, but said ?that early indications, as confirmed by symptoms and several tests, suggested that the patient does not have the Arena Virus?.

Mbangwa said that the patient?s blood samples were taken and sent to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases for further investigation.

?So far, the full blood count and liver function tests are normal. We are also following up on people who had contact with the patient to establish if there is a need for them to receive medical attention.?

The patient had been in contact with carriers of the Arena Virus while working as a radiographer in a Gauteng hospital a month ago. She was reportedly on holiday in Durban when she was admitted to hospital. :tiphat:http://www.witness.co.za/index.php?showcontent&global[_id]=14864

Treyfish · Oct 15, 2008

Re: SEVERAL CASES OF FATAL ILLNESS , NOVEL ARENAVIRUS STRAIN? - SOUTH AFRICA ex ZAMBIA

<TABLE xmlns:fo="http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Format"><TBODY><TR><TD class=ArticleHead colSpan=2>KZN arenavirus scare ?highly unlikely?</TD></TR><TR><TD class=Byline>Werner Swart</TD><TD class=Published align=right>Published:Oct 16, 2008</TD></TR><TR><TD class=ArticleHead colSpan=2><HR class=ArticleLine width="100%" SIZE=1></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=200 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE width=200><TBODY><TR><TD class=RelatedLinksTitle style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"></TD></TR><TR><TD><SCRIPT language=javascript> var PrintThis = '/PrintArticle.aspx?ID=' + ArticleID var printURL = "('"+PrintThis+"','','dependent=yes,resizable=no,scrollbars=yes,height=700,width=635,innerHeight=630,innerWidth=600')"; document.write('

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FEARS that the deadly arenavirus might have spread to KwaZulu-Natal were dismissed yesterday. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases said it was ??highly unlikely?? that a patient who had been admitted to a hospital in Durban had contracted the virus.
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Dr Lucille Blumberg said the patient, a radiographer, was admitted to St Augustine?s Hospital in Durban on Monday as a precautionary measure after developing a fever. The radiographer had had limited contact with patients at Sandton?s Morningside Medi-Clinic, where three people died after contracting the virus.??We will have test results tomorrow, but looking at initial tests and other information, it is highly unlikely that the [Durban] patient has the virus,?? Blumberg said yesterday.

St Augustine?s general manager, Augusta Dorning, said: ??The patient is being kept in isolation and is in a stable condition.??

A nurse and a laboratory assistant who were admitted to the Morningside Medi-Clinic after showing symptoms of the virus have been discharged.
??We have confirmed only four cases of people being infected with the virus, of whom three have died,?? said Morningside Medi-Clinic. The three were Zambian resident Cecilia van Deventer, paramedic Hannes Els and nurse Gladys Mthembu. A nurse at the hospital is in isolation.:tiphat:http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=864075

Commonground · Oct 16, 2008

Re: SEVERAL CASES OF FATAL ILLNESS , NOVEL ARENAVIRUS STRAIN? - SOUTH AFRICA ex ZAMBIA

Killer virus scare hits KZN

16 October 2008
A radiographer has been admitted to St Augustine?s Hospital in Durban with symptoms of the arena-virus that killed three people in Johannesburg recently.

Hospital manager Augusta Dorning said early indications suggested that the patient had not contracted the so-called rat fever.
?We are, however, extremely cautious,? Dorning said. ?The patient will be kept in isolation until we receive a definite negative test result for the virus.?
The radiographer, who worked at the Morningside Medi-Clinic in Johannesburg, where the arena-virus was first identified, was admitted to hospital on Tuesday after becoming critically ill and showing symptoms of the rodent borne disease.
Clinic spokesman Melinda Pelser confirmed that the radiographer had come into contact with the first person who was killed by the arena-virus.
?The oncology staff came into contact with Cecilia van Deventer in September 12 when she arrived in the clinic to be treated for tick fever. She was on our contact list, which is being monitored for 21 days.?
Van Deventer, the first arena-virus patient to die, was treated at the Morningside Medi-Clinic.

Then paramedic Hannes Els, who had accompanied her to South Africa from Zambia, also died. He was followed by nurse Gladys Mthembu, who had also come into contact with Van Deventer.

Early this week three clinic staff were admitted with symptoms of the virus. One nurse tested positive. She is currently in isolation at the clinic in a stable condition.

The second nurse and a laboratory technician were discharged yesterday.
?Our list of people who came into contact with the people who died has increased to 94, including the two nurses and a technician,? Pelser said.
The Sir Albert Robinson Hospital on the West Rand has reported 55 people on their contact list.

http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=864028

tropical · Oct 16, 2008

Re: SEVERAL CASES OF FATAL ILLNESS , NOVEL ARENAVIRUS STRAIN? - SOUTH AFRICA ex ZAMBIA

Hopefully it wouldn't spread further.

And maybe when an regional hospital worldwide have a duty to receive suspected infectious patients of unknown and unproved illnesses, it's infectious dept. would be enaugh builded and funded to improve an entering and isolation tract from Galenic methods to airtights filtered spaces for min. 2-3 places with whole body shielded dedicated staff.

Are the above science fiction?
I think it's not, if we talking about few regional dedicated hospitals where such cases would be sent for treatments.
Better that than having further hospital illnessed visitors spreaders and staff acquired infections and deaths.

In regions with such deadly illnesses, preventive isolation until a lab. testing clearance must in fact be instaurated instead of generic standard treatments.

#150:
"“The oncology staff came into contact with Cecilia van Deventer in September 12 when she arrived in the clinic to be treated for tick fever. She was on our contact list, which is being monitored for 21 days.”"

#142: ""There should be more stringent requirements at ports of entry for assessing the potential danger of the illnesses of foreigners," said spokeswoman Dr Ruth Rabinowitz.
"The death of three individuals and monitoring of approximately 100 also suggest that insufficiently stringent measures are adopted in hospitals when admitting cases of unknown diagnosis from other countries."
Rabinowitz said such patients were nursed in intensive care rooms adjacent to general intensive care facilities and nursed with standard measures for infection control.
"Only once highly contagious forms of disease such as haemorrhagic fever are confirmed — which takes several days — will requirements for barrier nursing be enforced."

Treyfish · Oct 16, 2008

Re: SEVERAL CASES OF FATAL ILLNESS , NOVEL ARENAVIRUS STRAIN? - SOUTH AFRICA ex ZAMBIA

<TABLE class=border id=HEADLINES cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" bgColor=#b3d2f3 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=fptextBlack style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 5px; PADDING-TOP: 5px" bgColor=#e6e6e6>St Augustine Hospital: no need to panic 16/10/2008 08:20:27
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It is still unclear if a patient at the St Augustine Hospital in Durban has contracted the arenavirus that has hit Gauteng where three people have already died.

A nurse at the Morningside Medi-Clinic has also been diagnosed with the virus and 94 others who may have been infected are being closely monitored.

At this stage health officials cannot confirm if it has spread to Durban.
The hospital's Augusta Dorning says tests are still being done on the patient at that facility.

?There is no cause for panic at this time? said Dorning.:tiphat:http://www.702.co.za/news/news.asp#95692
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Treyfish · Oct 16, 2008

Re: SEVERAL CASES OF FATAL ILLNESS , NOVEL ARENAVIRUS STRAIN? - SOUTH AFRICA ex ZAMBIA

KZN 'prepared for outbreak of virus'

16 October 2008, 10:44
A Johannesburg radiographer who was admitted to Durban's St Augustine's Hospital on Monday after displaying symptoms similar to those of the recently identified arenavirus remains in isolation.

She is believed to be in a serious but stable condition.

The virus led to the deaths of three people in Gauteng in the past three weeks.

Health department spokesperson Sibonelo Msomi said test results to confirm the virus were still outstanding.

"Medical experts have taken blood samples and sent it to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases for investigation to ascertain whether the patient is suffering from the deadly viral haemorrhagic fever.

The patient is an employee at Johannesburg's Medi-Clinic, where the first of three cases of VHF were reported."

Msomi said the 29-year-old woman, who has not been named, was on holiday in Durban on Saturday when she displayed symptoms that indicated she might have contracted the virus.

It has been confirmed that the woman came into contact with carriers of the virus at the Johannesburg clinic.

Msomi said the virus was transmitted through bodily fluids, including blood, sweat and saliva.

"The patient was admitted and placed in an isolation ward where various tests were conducted to establish the illness.

A team of medical specialists have attended to the patient and results of their findings will be available in due course.

"We are also following up on people who had contact with the patient to establish if there is a need for them to receive medical attention," he said.

The fever manifests itself 14 to 21 days after the virus is contracted. In this case, it had been 32 days after the woman had been in contact with the carriers in Johannesburg.

"The quick response shown by the team of specialists in this scare was phenomenal. The exercise showed that we are on top of the situation. KwaZulu-Natal is prepared for an outbreak of the virus," said Msomi.

Medi-Clinic spokesperson Melinda Pelser said two people suspected of carrying the virus were discharged on Wednesday.

"The two people - a sister at Morningside Medi-Clinic and a laboratory technician who were being monitored because of fluctuating temperatures and being on our contact list - were discharged on Thursday.

A nursing sister who has been confirmed as having viral haemorrhagic fever and is being treated in the hospital remains in a stable condition.

"Monitoring continues of all 94 people who had close contact with any of the people who developed the disease," she said.

The radiographer's family declined to comment. :tiphat:http://www.themercury.co.za/?fSectionId=&fArticleId=vn20081016055632829C469946

Treyfish · Oct 16, 2008

Re: SEVERAL CASES OF FATAL ILLNESS , NOVEL ARENAVIRUS STRAIN? - SOUTH AFRICA ex ZAMBIA

KZN rat infestation under control

16 October 2008, 10:45
EThekwini health department officials said on Wednesday that they were confident that Durban had the measure of its rat problem.

The officials admitted that there were rodent infestations in the city but added that these were confined to informal areas and places where refuse was incorrectly disposed of.

Acting department head Sipho Cele and health, safety and social services committee chairperson Nomvuso Shabalala were responding to questions by The Mercury, which was acting on a reader's letter that was published on Wednesday.

In the letter, Mark Crozier said the number of rats seen near the Southway Mall in Rossburgh every day indicated an infestation.

Cele said the department carried out routine poisoning of places that harboured rodents, responded to calls when rats had been seen and used education officers to tell people how to avoid infestations.

Shabalala encouraged residents to report rodent infestations so action could be taken.:tiphat:http://www.themercury.co.za/?fSectionId=&fArticleId=vn20081016055724603C121702

Giuseppe · Oct 16, 2008

Re: SEVERAL CASES OF FATAL ILLNESS , NOVEL ARENAVIRUS STRAIN? - SOUTH AFRICA ex ZAMBIA

Unknown disease identified in South Africa: very low risk to travellers [ECDC]

Unknown disease identified in South Africa: very low risk to travellers

16 October 2008

The new disease identified in South Africa and Zambia this week presents only a very low risk to travellers visiting these countries.

There have been no new cases identified in either South Africa or Zambia since 13 October 2008.

Arenavirus infections in tourists are rare.

Nonetheless, travellers should avoid contact with rodents and, if working in a healthcare setting should use personal protective equipment.

For further advice please contact a travel medicine centre.
--

<cite cite="http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/health_content/Articles/article_20081016.aspx">http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/health_content/Articles/article_20081016.aspx</cite>

Commonground · Oct 16, 2008

Re: SEVERAL CASES OF FATAL ILLNESS , NOVEL ARENAVIRUS STRAIN? - SOUTH AFRICA ex ZAMBIA

Post #153:

Msomi said the 29-year-old woman, who has not been named, was on holiday in Durban on Saturday when she displayed symptoms that indicated she might have contracted the virus.

map of Durban: [zoom out once to see Johannesburg] http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/featu...azulu-Natal,+South+Africa;Large;Comprehensive

Commonground · Oct 16, 2008

Re: SEVERAL CASES OF FATAL ILLNESS , NOVEL ARENAVIRUS STRAIN? - SOUTH AFRICA ex ZAMBIA

KZN woman cleared of Arenavirus
October 16 2008 at 05:11PM

Preliminary results appear to rule out the arenavirus in a woman admitted for observation in Durban last weekend, the KwaZulu-Natal health department said on Thursday.

"Preliminary results suggest that the patient suspected to have the arenavirus at Durban's St Augustine's Hospital patient may be cleared," the department said, adding that final results would be known on Friday.

A 29-year-old woman who had worked at the Morningside Medi-Clinic, where people had died of the virus, felt ill while on holiday in Durban and was admitted to hospital on Saturday night.

She was admitted to hospital and blood samples were sent to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases and have come back negative.

"But we will wait until tomorrow for the final results. The patient is recovering and responding well to medication," a department statement said on Thursday.

The department also visited people who had been in contact with her and so far they have been cleared.

They have been advised to report if they get symptoms related to the illness.

The department said the response of specialists was "phenomenal" and they were pleased to have had a false alarm rather than relaxing and being sorry later.
-snip-
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=125&art_id=nw20081016170632290C272984

Commonground · Oct 16, 2008

Re: SEVERAL CASES OF FATAL ILLNESS , NOVEL ARENAVIRUS STRAIN? - SOUTH AFRICA ex ZAMBIA

So far for the admission of the Radiogragher, I have:
10/15
10/13
10/11

Giuseppe · Oct 16, 2008

Re: SEVERAL CASES OF FATAL ILLNESS , NOVEL ARENAVIRUS STRAIN? - SOUTH AFRICA ex ZAMBIA

Eurosurveillance, Rapid Communication: http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showpost.php?p=185782&postcount=1

Treyfish · Oct 16, 2008

Re: SEVERAL CASES OF FATAL ILLNESS , NOVEL ARENAVIRUS STRAIN? - SOUTH AFRICA ex ZAMBIA

Zambia

<TABLE id=alertContinuii summary="Alert level continuum displays" border=0><TBODY><TR class=alertContinuumLabel><TH class=alertLocation colSpan=2>Zambia overall </TH><TH id=currentDate colSpan=3>This Advice is current for Friday, 17 October 2008. </TH></TR><TR class=alertContinuum><TD>http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/advice_meaning.html</TD><TD>http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/advice_meaning.html</TD><TD class=currentAlertLevel>High degree of cautionhttp://www.smartraveller.gov.au/advice_meaning.html</TD><TD>http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/advice_meaning.html</TD><TD>http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/advice_meaning.html</TD></TR></TBODY><TBODY id=alertContinuum1><TR class=alertContinuumLabel><TH class=alertLocation colSpan=5>Border areas with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola and Mozambique</TH></TR><TR class=alertContinuum><TD>http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/advice_meaning.html</TD><TD>http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/advice_meaning.html</TD><TD>Reconsider your need to travelhttp://www.smartraveller.gov.au/advice_meaning.html</TD><TD class=currentAlertLevel>http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/advice_meaning.html</TD><TD>http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/advice_meaning.html</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information in the Summary and under Safety and Security: Civil Unrest/Political Tension (presidential election 30 October), and Health Issues (temporary restriction on medical evacuations to South Africa). The overall level of the advice has not changed

....{SNIP}....South African authorities have placed temporary restrictions on medical evacuations from Zambia. This follows the death of a Zambian resident evacuated to Johannesburg and the subsequent deaths of a paramedic and nurse in Johannesburg. The cause of the deaths is unknown. Zambian authorities are working with the US Center for Disease Control and tests are being carried out to determine the nature of the illness. No further cases related to the initial patient have been reported. :tiphat:http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Zambia

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