First results on mystery virus expected today

PRELIMINARY results on a mystery virus that has killed five people are expected today.

At least 23 other people remain hospitalised. Also today, Health Minister Richard Kamwi is set to give Cabinet a full briefing on the virus.Kamwi’s briefing comes amid reports that at least one person with similar symptoms has been hospitalised at the Oshakati State Hospital since Friday.However, Shangula said last night that the person was someone who had been discharged from hospital in Windhoek after it was established that he was not affected by the mystery disease as earlier feared.He said 32 cases had been reported so far, of which four had been discounted as something else.Health Permanent Secretary Dr Kalumbi Shangula confirmed yesterday that they would have preliminary results today as tests were continuing in a World Health Organisation (WHO) accredited laboratory in South Africa.Shangula and Kamwi received briefings on the latest developments about the disease for most of yesterday.Maggy Nghatanga, Director of Primary Health Care, said Namibia continued to keep the Geneva-based WHO abreast of developments through its Windhoek office.President Hifikepunye Pohamba’s Cabinet will pronounce itself on the issue once briefed.The Health Ministry carried out tests locally but was unable to establish whether it was polio or Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) – a disorder of the peripheral nervous system.Health Deputy Minister Petrina Haingura said on Friday that victims typically suffer from lower-limb weaknesses, acute paralysis, breathing difficulties, chest pain, cold and flu, neck stiffness, headache and dizziness.Stool, urine and blood specimens were subsequently sent to South Africa.The first case was reported on May 7 at the southern town of Aranos while two others were reportedly picked up at Otjiwarongo and Okahandja.The person from Aranos remains on ventilator support.Shangula said the first case had been viewed as an isolated one and had not created much attention.”We are doing all necessary investigations and following-up on all leads.For the time being, the disease seems to be contained,” Shangula said.The rest of the cases are from Okuryangava, Babilon and One Nation on the outskirts of Windhoek.They are aged between 14 and 55 years.Most patients were said to be in a stable condition in Ward 5A of Katutura Hospital while a pregnant mother is on a ventilator in the Windhoek Central Hospital.Also today, Health Minister Richard Kamwi is set to give Cabinet a full briefing on the virus.Kamwi’s briefing comes amid reports that at least one person with similar symptoms has been hospitalised at the Oshakati State Hospital since Friday.However, Shangula said last night that the person was someone who had been discharged from hospital in Windhoek after it was established that he was not affected by the mystery disease as earlier feared.He said 32 cases had been reported so far, of which four had been discounted as something else.Health Permanent Secretary Dr Kalumbi Shangula confirmed yesterday that they would have preliminary results today as tests were continuing in a World Health Organisation (WHO) accredited laboratory in South Africa.Shangula and Kamwi received briefings on the latest developments about the disease for most of yesterday.Maggy Nghatanga, Director of Primary Health Care, said Namibia continued to keep the Geneva-based WHO abreast of developments through its Windhoek office. President Hifikepunye Pohamba’s Cabinet will pronounce itself on the issue once briefed.The Health Ministry carried out tests locally but was unable to establish whether it was polio or Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) – a disorder of the peripheral nervous system. Health Deputy Minister Petrina Haingura said on Friday that victims typically suffer from lower-limb weaknesses, acute paralysis, breathing difficulties, chest pain, cold and flu, neck stiffness, headache and dizziness.Stool, urine and blood specimens were subsequently sent to South Africa.The first case was reported on May 7 at the southern town of Aranos while two others were reportedly picked up at Otjiwarongo and Okahandja.The person from Aranos remains on ventilator support.Shangula said the first case had been viewed as an isolated one and had not created much attention.”We are doing all necessary investigations and following-up on all leads.For the time being, the disease seems to be contained,” Shangula said.The rest of the cases are from Okuryangava, Babilon and One Nation on the outskirts of Windhoek.They are aged between 14 and 55 years.Most patients were said to be in a stable condition in Ward 5A of Katutura Hospital while a pregnant mother is on a ventilator in the Windhoek Central Hospital.