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MELBOURNE - A mystery virus has killed three Australians who received organs from the one donor.
Media reports say the bug has been linked to Ebola virus, responsible for the deaths of thousands in central Africa since the 1970s.
Experts from New York's Columbia University helped solve the mystery of the multiple transplant deaths after Australian scientists were stumped.
The deaths are being investigated by the Victorian state coroner.
The virus in the recipients is believed to be a world first.
"The discovery of this virus is of national and international significance," a New York expert said.
The male donor, carrying the killer bug, died in Dandenong Hospital from a brain haemorrhage in December. He had just returned from Europe.
The virus can cause "old-world" diseases such as yellow fever, Ebola and lymphocytic chorio meningitis.
Organ Donation NZ manager Janice Langlands said although some Australian livers were transplanted into New Zealanders, she had concluded none had been affected by the virus.
- AAP, STAFF REPORTER
