Good afternoon
Ladies and gentlemen
We, as the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, have been receiving numerous calls from members of the media, enquiring about the recent developments pertaining to the H1N1 outbreak. It is on the basis of these enquiries that I have taken a decision to call for this urgent media briefing.
According to the recent reports that we have received from the National Institute of Communicable diseases (NICD), there are total of 42 confirmed cases of HINI flu and one suspected case of HIN1 Flu. Unfortunately this patient that was suspected died yesterday at Mount Edgecombe Hospital in Durban. At the time of this report, we are still awaiting confirmatory results from the NICD.
The patient was a 44 year old male from Phoenix. He visited Swaziland with two friends, left on 27 June 2009 returned on the 29 June 2009. He got sick on 16 July 2009 with flu-like symptoms like: cough, diarrhoea, tight chest, body pain and sore throat. Seen by the general practitioner on 22 July 2009, where he presented with flu like symptoms. He was given medication for flu. He returned to the doctor on 24 July 2009 feeling sick, with body pains, dehydration and not improved.
He was then referred to Mount Edgecombe Hospital on 24 July 2009 where he was admitted, condition deteriorated and he subsequently died on 30 July 2009. At no time were the doctors informed of any travel history until after his death. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test results were positive (received after the patient died) from Lancet Lab. We are awaiting the confirmation of results from the NICD.
The family of the deceased has been traced and they are healthy with no signs of
H1N1. We are following up on the other workplace contacts as well as any other contacts that were in close proximity with the deceased.
At this point in time we urge the public to take all the precautionary measures which include regular washing of hands with a detergent, proper cough and sneezing hygiene and also seeking medical attention when feeling unwell. We have also sensitised our fellow clinicians to raise the index of suspicion when dealing with the patients.
Issued by: Department of Health, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
5 August 2009
Source: Department of Health, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (http://www.kznhealth.gov.za/)
