On Sunday, 5 July 2009, eleven new cases of novel influenza A H1N1 were confirmed in South Africa.
The eleven cases, all university students, presented with flu-like symptoms at various medical centres and confirmed positive by the National Institute of Communicable Diseases. To date, the total number of cases reported in the country is 29.
A total of sixteen cases have been linked to University sports event in Gauteng, the majority are males who shared the same residence and were squash players. Further investigations are going on. The patients appear to have mild illness, no complications so far and are being managed in accordance with the World Health Organisation and the Department of Health guidelines.
All the participants at the games were informed of the possible contact with confirmed case on Friday. All the other associated contacts will be followed up and given the necessary advice. The participants that attended the games came from different parts of the country and the likelihood of more cases from different provinces is expected.
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 flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, runny nose or nasal congestion, cough or muscle pain within seven 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
Tel: 012 312 0663
Cell: 079 517 3333
Issued by: Department of Health
6 July 2009
