Members of the media, ladies and gentlemen, good morning
As you would be aware by now, yesterday we got confirmation of a case of H1N1 in our country. The patient, a 12 year old boy from the United States of America flew into South Africa on Sunday 14 June 2009, presented with flu like symptoms and was admitted to a private hospital this past Monday morning. The patient fitted the criteria of a suspected case and specimens were taken to confirm the diagnosis. It is important to state that the treatment of the patient was in line with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Department of Health guidelines on the management of suspected cases.
The patient was treated in isolation and discharged from the hospital after a few days. We are encouraged by the fact that the patient is doing well and recovering in isolation at home. He and his close family contacts will remain in quarantine for a period of seven days to minimise the risks of any spread of the influenza virus. All contacts of this case will be followed up and given the necessary advice and treatment. We are in the process of tracing the contacts that have been with him on the flight from Atlanta.
We have a preparedness plan in place and remain confident that we will continue to respond positively to any further cases that may be confirmed. Among the measures that we have in place one can just highlight the following:
* A multi-sectoral committee meets weekly to monitor and assess the situation and guide our response
* Guidelines on national pandemic influenza preparedness plan and influenza case management were distributed
* Outbreak response teams those are operational in all provinces
* Training of provincial rapid response teams on influenza pandemic preparedness
* Heightened clinical and laboratory surveillance that we have in place to identify any suspected human case of H1N1 influenza
* Assessment of capacity for epidemic preparedness and response including port health services within the context of international health regulations.
In terms of operations at the country’s major airport OR Tambo Airport, two rooms have been designated for port health services, with one being used as a clinic and the other for isolation purposes. The clinic caters for both arrivals and departures. There are four registered nurses and one supporting doctor.
Regarding the screening of travellers a declaration by the captain of the flight has to be made. In the event of any case or suspected case on board, port health officers are called into action to conduct a rapid assessment and a thereafter clinical decision is taken on the appropriate course of action. In this particular case, the captain did not report that any sick patients were on board of the flight.
After the spread of the infection from Mexico to more than 88 countries around the world and the declaration of a pandemic by the WHO on 11 June 2009, the eventual spread of the infection to South Africa was not surprising, However, I want to again state that we have systems in place to respond appropriately to any case suspected or confirmed case of H1N1 influenza. This case does not present any danger to the Confederations Cup currently underway in our country.
I want to appeal to members of the public to ensure that they practice basic hygiene measures such as coughing or sneezing into their sleeve or a disposable tissue and washing their hands frequently. Visitors from abroad should also present to the nearest health facility if they develop any flu like symptoms.
Thank you very much.
