The management of Klerksdorp /Tshepong Hospital Complex under the auspices of the North West Department of Health hereby confirms that Klerksdorp Hospital Highly Infectious Disease Unit (HID UNIT) admitted a Crimean- Congo patient (one of the viral hemorrhagic fevers) on Saturday the 4th May 2019, as a referral from Mooimed Private Hospital in Potchefstroom.

“A 54 years old Mr. Charl Pretorius from a farm between Ventersdorp and Coligny in the North West Province was admitted in Klerksorp Hospital HID Unit with the history of Crimean Congo Fever at 16:45”, said Mr. Polaki Mokatsane; hospital CEO.

According to the patient, On Friday 26th April 2019 he visited the neighbouring farm and later that day found a tick on his head which he crushed with his fingers. Two days later on Sunday 28th he experienced headache and his wife gave her Panado but the pain recurred continuously.

On Monday 29/04/2019, He saw some redness on his skin and he consulted Medicross in Potchefstroom and he was then admitted to Mooimed Private Hospital were blood investigations were done. Discharged on the 01st May 2019.

Later that day (1/5/2019) he was recalled to the hospital as his blood levels was said to be low (probably meaning platelets and neutrophils). Mr. Pretorius was then admitted to Medi- Clinic Private Hospital on the 2nd May 2019 and transferred to ICU Isolation in the same facility on the 3rd May 2019.

Department of Health’s Spokesperson in the North West Province, Tebogo Lekhethwane, explains Crimean -Congo Fever to be a category one notifiable medical condition; meaning that NICD must be notified within 24 hours about any such admission by our Infection control and Prevention Officer.

According to Lekhethwane, “The Crimean -Congo Fever was confirmed by National Institute For Communicable Diseases (NICD) who instructed our laboratory on how to handle the blood specimen. The patient was transferred to the North West Provincial HID (Highly Infectious Disease) Unit situated at Klerksdorp hospital.”

the patient is said to be on HID treatment for Crimean Congo fever, he is currently in a stable condition, conscious, communicating and responding well to treatment.

-The VIP Team

-DOH NW