South Africa on swine flu alert
9 July 2009
With 48 confirmed swine flu cases in South Africa as of 9 July, the authorities are maintaining a high level of vigilance. Clinical and laboratory surveillance has been increased, and outbreak response teams established and trained in all nine provinces.
At the same time, there has not been community transmission of the disease, and the public is advised to be aware, but not to panic.
The Department of Health said on Monday that there were now 29 confirmed AH1N1 influenza (swine flu) cases in South Africa, following a number of new cases among students who attended a recent sporting event at the University of Johannesburg.
On Wednesday, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) said the number had increased to 47, but added that this was no cause for panic, as most new cases involved travellers arriving in the country, or people who had attended the sporting event.
And on the same day, the South African Press Association (Sapa) reports, a 30-year-old man from Mhluzi township in the Steve Tshwete municipal district of Mpumalanga province tested positive, and was swiftly quarantined.
'Mild cases'
The Department of Health spokesperson Fidel Hadebe said the patients were mildly ill, with no complications so far, and were being managed in accordance with World Health Organisation (WHO) and Department of Health guidelines.
"All the other associated contacts will be followed up and given the necessary advice," Hadebe added.
NICD deputy director Dr Lucille Blumberg told Sapa that the rise in the number of swine flu cases did not indicate any danger to the South African public.
"We do not yet have the community transmission as in other countries, but we can expect more mild cases," Blumberg said.
On 11 June, the WHO raised its swine flu alert to the highest level, declaring the first global influenza pandemic in 40 years.
The first case of swine flu in South Africa was confirmed on 18 June.
Swine flu first broke out in Mexico in April, and has since spread to over 120 countries, infecting around 80 000 people, of whom at least 337 have died.
What is swine flu?
According to the Department of Health, swine flu is an airborne disease that spreads in the same way as seasonal flu, through coughing and sneezing. It cannot be caught by eating pork.
Symptoms include aches and pains, fever, fatigue, a runny nose, sore throat, vomiting and diarrhoea.
It is treatable with antiviral medication, which is available in South Africa but may only be used under a medical doctor's direction. People who are suffering from the symptoms, and have recently travelled to areas that have swine flu, should see their doctor.
Transmission can be avoided by coughing or sneezing into a tissue or hanky; by washing one's hands regularly; and by avoiding crowded areas, especially if people have symptoms of the flu.
SAinfo reporter and BuaNews
