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A Congo Fever patient from Zeerust in the North West, who was transferred from Ferncrest Hospital to Klerksdorp Hospital, has been discharged.

The Department of Health in the North West announced last week that a man in his forties was admitted on the 26th of August 2001 at Ferncrest Hospital suffering from Congo Haemorhagic Fever. This was the second case recorded in the North West to date. In February last year, a 49-year old farmer from Buhmansdirft died because of Congo Fever.

The MEC for Health, Dr Molefi Sefularo, was full of praise for his staff, especially Ms Calvinia Sebekedi (Communicable Diseases Unit) and Dr Theuns Oosthuizen (Chief Executive Officer of the Kleksdorp/Tshepong/Potchefstroom/Witrand Hospital Complex). "I wish to congratulate them for a job well done. Every life saved will stay as a monument of hard work, commitment and passion for the health profession."

The department has not been able to determine the possible source of infection. The patient has no history of tick bite or animal skinning in at least the past month and none of the family or work contacts is currently sick. However, assessment and monitoring of all people who have had contacts with him are continuing. This includes reading and recording of the vital signs as a measure to prevent the spread of the disease.

Thus far, the mode of transmission in the North West has been through a bite from an infected tick. If a person develops flu-like symptoms like headache, nausea, bleeding and general body pain after being bitten by a tick or skinning an animal, he/she should seek immediate medical attention.

The department will continue with its health education campaign on the disease, with emphasis on close monitoring of the signs and symptoms of the disease and the need to seek prompt medical attention.

Contact: Cornelius Monama at 082 578 4063

Issued by: Office of the MEC for Health, North West, 4 September 2001