Oct. 28 (Bloomberg) -- A hemorrhagic virus that has killed three people in Johannesburg is a new strain of arenavirus, the South African Broadcasting Corp. said, citing Ian Lipkin of New York's Columbia University.

A woman who was flown from Zambia to Johannesburg's Morningside Mediclinic was the first to die from the disease, which later killed the paramedic who accompanied her and a nurse at the hospital.

Genetic tests were undertaken at a laboratory where Lipkin works, the Johannesburg-based broadcaster said on its Web site.

Last Updated: October 28, 2008 02:44 EDT