Arenavirus identified: authorities
Last updated: Thursday, October 30, 2008 Print"There is no doubt we are dealing with a newly emerged virus," said Janusz Paweska, head of the special pathology unit at the NICD. The virus belongs to the "old world" arenavirus, but until two weeks ago, they did not know they were dealing with a new virus. The first person known to have died from the virus was Cecilia van Deventer who was flown from Zambia to South Africa in September for emergency treatment. Three previous visits to health facilities had failed to determine what was wrong with her.
Since then the paramedic who accompanied her, Hannes Elf, a nurse at the Morningside Medi Clinic, Gladys Mthembu, and contract cleaner, Maria Mokobung, have died. Another nursing sister is currently receiving treatment after presenting with symptoms.
Professor Adriano Duse, clinical microbiologist of infectious diseases at the National Health Laboratory Services, said of the work leading up to the 'eureka moment' of trying to identify the virus: "It was quite scary, draining, it involved long hours of hard work. You do get involved emotionally, but adrenalin keeps you going."
Virus still to be named
The NICD worked with a network of specialists globally, and the virus was identified by themselves and a laboratory in Atlanta in the
USA. At a press conference in Johannesburg, they said a name was still being chosen for the virus.
Professor Robert Swanepoel, a consultant for the specialist pathogens unit, said they would have to settle on one which did not create negative connotations for the area from which the first patients came. Traditionally viruses are named after the area that the first patients are known to originate from, for instance the Ebola and Marburg virus.
Swanepoel said they would not want to wipe out tourism in an area or create fearful associations. - (Sapa, October 2008)
Read more:
Mystery virus is a new strain
Arenavirus ruled out in KZN
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