Issued by the Department of Health
2 July 2009
To date there have been 13 laboratory- confirmed cases of Novel Influenza H1N1 reported in South Africa. Twelve patients have a history of travel outside South Africa. One additional case did not travel but is a close household -contact of a confirmed case. To date, the total number of cases reported by area include; eleven in Gauteng and two in Western Cape.
The most recent six cases all South Africans arrived in the country during the period 24 to 28 June 2009 from various destinations; London, UK, Argentina and Philippines. They presented at different times and places with flu-like symptoms and were confirmed positive by laboratory testing conducted by the National Institute of Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service.
The six patients (5 in Gauteng and one in Western Cape) have mild disease and have been managed at home, in accordance with the World Health Organisation and the Department of Health guidelines.
The Department of Health advises anybody with a travel history or who has been in contact with a confirmed patient of influenza A H1N1 and who experiences a flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, runny nose/nasal congestion, cough or muscle pain within 7 days after arrival or contact with an infected person to seek medical care from the nearest health facility.
For more information please contact Fidel Hadebe on 012 312-0663 or 079 517-3333.