Former Springbok captain Corné Krige has reportedly confirmed that one of the victims of a mysterious disease which has claimed three lives in Gauteng, is his cousin.

The 36-year-old woman, who was airlifted from Zambia to the Morningside Medi-Clinic in Sandton on 12 September, died two days later. She was treated for tick-bite fever and other potential infections.

A Zambian paramedic who had accompanied her into the country died last week, while a nurse at the Morningside Clinic died on Sunday.

Symptoms include diarrhea, fever and nausea.

It has been reported that family members who had been in contact with the deceased have displayed similar symptoms and have been admitted to hospital.

Zambia has reported that no other people have contracted the disease in that country. Zambia and the World Health Organisation are conducting their own investigation.

The health department has requested the public not to "panic" while the nurses' organisation Denosa asked government to declare the situation a crisis.