Arena virus: Malawi man shows symptoms

A man presenting symptoms similar to viral haemorrhagic fever has been admitted to the Life Fourways Hospital in Johannesburg.

The South African citizen (55), who lives in Malawi, arrived at the hospital late on Thursday and was placed in an isolation unit as a precaution, said hospital spokeswoman Marietjie Shelly yesterday.

“He had a high temperature, severe abdominal and kidney pain, and vomiting. Initial blood tests gave no indication of internal bleeding,” she said.

The National Institute of Communicable Diseases has been told, she said. Scientists recently identified a new arena virus that killed four people in Johannesburg.