Potchefstroom – A 72-year-old man has been placed under quarantine for haemorrhagic fever, the North West Department of Health said on Thursday.
According to departmental spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane, the man came to the Potchefstroom Hospital on Wednesday complaining of a fever, weakness and a cough.
“Clinically, he had signs and symptoms of haemorrhagic fever and the patient was isolated. Blood investigations were done and the virologist was informed based on the results. The virologist then advised on infection control measures that had to be taken,” said Lekgethwane.
The hospital staff and patient were quarantined, and the casualty department has been disinfected.
The department has stressed that the man was not being treated for Ebola.
The Klerksdorp/Tshepong Hospital Complex was notified as a designated centre of isolation in the North West Province.
The man, who is from one of the farming communities in Potchefstroom, was then referred to the Klerksdorp//Tshepong Hospital Complex and all staff members who were in contact with that patient were disinfected including the casualty department and all the equipment.
The provincial Health Department said that all the people who were in contact with the man will be regularly monitored for any signs and symptoms.
Upon his transfer to the Klerksdorp//Tshepong Hospital Complex, the quarantine was lifted.
