The Ministry of Health, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) in Zambia have launched an investigation into the mysterious disease suspected to have broken out in Zambia.

The unknown disease, which is characterized by fever, coughs and bleeding from any part of the body, is reported to have so far claimed three lives.

Minister of Health, Brian Chituwo, announced in a statement to ZANIS today that his ministry had received reports of the unknown diseases in the country.

Dr. Chituwo said the first person to suffer from the disease was a South African woman who was resident in Zambia.

He said the woman fell sick on September 4th, this year and was subsequently evacuated to Morningside Clinic in South Africa where she died on September 13th.

He further explained that the second victim was a paramedic who accompanied the woman to South Africa while the third one was a nurse who attended to the first victim in that country.

"Unconfirmed reports indicate that the driver of the ambulance that ferried the patient from Linseria airport to Morningside in South Africa is presently in a critical condition," Dr. Chituwo said.

He said that patients that suffer from this unknown disease develop a fever, cough and bleed from various parts of the body.

Dr. Chituwo said all investigations that have so far been done on the disease did not point to any known illness.

He has however said none of the contacts that have been made so far was in danger.

"Note that none of our health facilities here in Zambia has reported such an illness," he added.

The Minister has since assured the public that the situation was under control and therefore, all air and road international and local travel, trade and commercial activities within and outside the country should continue as usual.

Dr. Chituwo said Government, through his ministry, was giving the situation special attention and that members of the general public should remain calm.

"Members of the public are also cautioned that any suspicious case presenting with fever, cough and bleeding from any part of the body should be reported to the nearest health facility," he said.