Laboratory-Confirmed Malaria Diagnosed in Suspected Ebola Cases

The NICD was contacted in the early hours of Thursday morning 21^st September for assistance with the diagnosis and management of two seamen who had been evacuated from a ship off the coast of Port St Johns. The ship had travelled via Abijan, Cote d’Ivoire. Both seamen were admitted to a Durban private hospital, and after resuscitation, both demised shortly after arrival. Appropriate infection prevention and control procedures were adhered to. Rapid blood tests done in the Emergency Department were positive for malaria. The diagnosis of malaria was confirmed by a private laboratory group. Extremely high parasite loads (22% and 4.5% respectively) were observed in both cases. We have confirmed that no additional seamen on board the ship are ill. No further actions are required.