Nosocomial outbreak of novel arenavirus infection, southern Africa

Emerg Infect Dis. 2009 Oct;15(10):1598-602. doi: 10.3201/eid1510.090211.

Abstract

A nosocomial outbreak of disease involving 5 patients, 4 of whom died, occurred in South Africa during September-October 2008. The first patient had been transferred from Zambia to South Africa for medical management. Three cases involved secondary spread of infection from the first patient, and 1 was a tertiary infection. A novel arenavirus was identified. The source of the first patient's infection remains undetermined.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Arenaviridae Infections / epidemiology*
  • Arenavirus / classification
  • Arenavirus / genetics*
  • Contact Tracing
  • Cross Infection / epidemiology*
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Hemorrhagic Fevers, Viral / epidemiology*
  • Hemorrhagic Fevers, Viral / virology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Ribavirin / therapeutic use
  • Zambia / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Ribavirin