A pneumonia of an unknown origin has killed its third person according to local health authorities.
Local officials reportedly said that nine people in northwestern Tucuman province have been infected by the mysterious respiratory illness.
Those infected included eight medical staff in the same private clinic. Three have died since Monday according to Tucuman health minister Luis Medina Ruiz.
Medina said that they are conducting tests on the illness but they have ruled out COVID-19, flu, influenza types A and B.
Samples have been sent to the prestigious Malbran Institute in Buenos Aires.
The third fatality from the mysterious disease was a 70 year-old patient who was admitted to the same clinic where staff have been infected. The health chief said the woman could be the ‘patient zero’ for the disease but investigation is still underway.
The first patient died on Monday, the second patient died two days later on Wednesday.
Local health authorities said that patients manifested a severe respiratory condition with bilateral pneumonia which is very similar to COVID.
Experts are also analyzing the local water and air conditioners to see if this is a case of poisoning.
The first six patients started exhibiting symptoms between August 18 and 22.
