A radiographer has been admitted to Durban's St Augustine's Hospital after displaying symptoms similar to those of the recently identified arena virus, a news report said.

The Mercury newspaper reported that the radiographer had come into contact with the virus carriers while working at Johannesburg's Morningside Clinic.

A tour operator from Zambia, the paramedic who accompanied her to South Africa for treatment, and a health worker who came into contact with her, have died since 14 September.

St Augustine's hospital manager Augusta Dorning told the newspaper that a "seriously ill patient" had been admitted to the hospital.

The newspaper reported that "early indications" were that she did not have the virus.

Dorning was quoted as saying: "We are, however, extremely cautious and she has therefore been placed in total isolation, and barrier nursing and comprehensive infection control measures have been implemented."

Dorning said the hospital was working with the National Institute of Communicable Diseases and the health department.

Sapa