Health officials have confirmed that a viral haemorrhagic fever that killed four people in Johannesburg is being caused by a new strain of the deadly arenavirus.
Tests performed at the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention identified the new strain that has yet to be named, said Barry Schoub, executive director of the National Insititute of Communicable Diseases (NICD).
Mosquito Diseases
Mosquito-borne diseases, like malaria, filaria, dengue, etc are common in places conducive of mosquito breeding. Swamps, ponds and stagnated drainage provide optimal breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Advertisement
"The virus is new in terms of its genetic make up and there is currently no vaccine against it," Schoub told reporters, adding that it had "high lethal potential for humans."
According to the department of health, the disease was first identified in a woman airlifted from Zambia to a Johannesburg hospital in September.
![Hepatitis A]( "Hepatitis A")
Hepatitis A is the most benign of the hepatitis viruses and usually has no long term side effects. Hepatitis A vaccine is available that is 95% effective in preventing the disease.
The woman later died. A member of the medical staff who accompanied her, a nurse and a hospital cleaner who came into contact with them, also died.
"A last person who is currently under observation at a hospital is responding well to (anti-viral) treatment," said Janusz Paweska, head of a special pathogens unit at NICD.
He said about 100 more people were still being monitored for possible symptoms of the virus, but they appeared to be out of danger.
The virus has previously been linked to the Lassa fever virus of West Africa.
No cases of the virus had been reported in Zambia where the disease is beleived to have originated.
Source: AFP
RAS/L
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is the most benign of the hepatitis viruses and usually has no long term side effects. Hepatitis A vaccine is available that is 95% effective in preventing the disease.
Advertisement
The woman later died. A member of the medical staff who accompanied her, a nurse and a hospital cleaner who came into contact with them, also died.
"A last person who is currently under observation at a hospital is responding well to (anti-viral) treatment," said Janusz Paweska, head of a special pathogens unit at NICD.
He said about 100 more people were still being monitored for possible symptoms of the virus, but they appeared to be out of danger.
The virus has previously been linked to the Lassa fever virus of West Africa.
No cases of the virus had been reported in Zambia where the disease is beleived to have originated.
Source: AFP
RAS/L
AIDS/HIV - Prevention And Transmission
Encyclopedia section of medindia explains in brief about the prevention for AIDS/HIV
Advertisement
Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Readings
Latest Research News
Malaria parasites sync their molecular rhythms with the internal 24-hour clocks of their hosts, said researchers.
A latest research suggests that the quality of a person's post-work recovery in the evening can impact their mood when they resume work the next day.
Researchers are working on new strategies and solutions for sleep apnea to ward off a range of health risks including cognitive decline.
The scientists discovered that when the stem cells in the hair follicle are made softer, they have a higher chance of growing hair.
A combinatorial therapy provided promising beneficial results among people with ischemic stroke.