The Northern Cape province has at this stage five confirmed cases of influenza A/H1N1 swine flu. Four of the patients have been treated successfully and have returned to their work and school. The one patient, a schoolboy in Kimberley is still in quarantine at home, but is doing very well and will soon be healthy to go back to school.
The Northern Cape Department of Health (NCDOH) is embarking on a blitz awareness campaign on influenza A/H1N1 swine flu on Wednesday, 19 August 2009. The campaign will be run simultaneously in the Siyanda, Namaqua, John Taolo Gaetsewe and Pixley-Ka-Seme Districts respectfully. The Frances Baard District was covered during the first week of August 2009 with the same campaign.
Activities as part of the campaign will include health education at schools in collaboration with the following partners namely the Department of Education, Sport, Recreation Arts and Culture (SRAC), Medi-Clinic, Red Cross and South African Defence Force (SANDF). Health promotion material will also be provided to the mentioned stakeholders to disseminate at their respective institutions.
Furthermore, health education sessions will be done at primary healthcare facilities (PHC), community radio interviews, distribution of fact sheets at shopping centres and taxi ranks, placement of fact sheet in local newspapers, door-to-door distribution of pamphlets in communities. Continuation of health education activities at sub-districts will be done.
The Northern Cape Department of Health urges all members of the public to immediately consult a doctor or visit a healthcare facility to obtain medical care and medication if any of the following symptoms are experienced.
Children:
* fast breathing or trouble breathing
* not drinking enough fluids
* not waking up or not interacting
* being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
* flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
* fever with a rash
Adults:
* difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
* pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
* sudden dizziness
Enquiries:
Andrid Scholtz
Tel: 053 830 2000
Cell: 082 447 9696
Fax: 053 833 1925
E-mail: ascholtz@ncpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Health, Northern Cape Provincial Government
18 August 2009
