Deadly Mystery "Hemorrhagic Fever" Investigated in South Africa

The World Health Organization reported about negative tests for the disease in South Africa at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).

"Samples have, so far, tested negative for a series of viral hemorrhagic fevers and other common infectious disease pathogens,"

After one person in Zambia and two others in South Africa died, The World Health Organization said Friday that 121 known contacts of the fatal cases are being traced in South Africa and 23 in Zambia.

The cases include an employee of a Safari tour company who, on Sept 12, was evacuated from Zambia to South Africa and died there two days later. A paramedic from Zambia and nurse who helped the tour employee also died a few days later with a similar disease.

Diseases already tested negative include Ebola, Lassa fever, rift Valley fever, Marburg fever and other main types of fever, according to the Associated Press.

Last Updated 12:27 p.m. ESt