4th death from mystery illness?
06/10/2008 10:07 - (SA)
The latest victim had been a cleaner at the Morningside Medi-Clinic.
"The cleaner fell ill over the weekend and was admitted to
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
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