Congo fever detected in Namibia

WINDHOEK, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- A man suffering from Congo fever has been hospitalized at Gobabis, a town about 200 kilometers from Namibia's capital Windhoek.

The country's health ministry confirmed the case Tuesday, saying the man was initially admitted to Gobabis State Hospital on Feb. 1 before being transferred.

Addressing a press conference, David Uirab, superintendent at the central hospital, said the man was in a stable condition.

This is the second time that Congo fever was detected in farms around Gobabis within a year.

In February 2017, several people were hospitalized while others were quarantined following a Congo fever outbreak at Gobabis.

Two people died from the fever that is caused by tick bites.

The first cases in Namibia of Congo fever were reported in 1986. One further case was reported in 1998 and two in 2001.

The reports about Congo fever come when Namibia is grappling with a hepatitis E outbreak that has killed three women since November 2017.

Health minister Bernard Haufiku told the press conference Tuesday that hepatitis E had caused two stillbirths.

More than 500 others have tested positive for hepatitis E. Enditem