South Africa - Confirmed H1N1 flu cases - 480

[Shiloh]

Source: http://health.asiaone.com/Health/New...18-149466.html

>> ASIAONE / HEALTH / NEWS / STORY

S. Africa confirms first H1N1 flu case
Thu, Jun 18, 2009
AFP

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's first swine flu case was confirmed on Thursday by health authorities, the SAPA news agency reported.

Health spokesman Fidel Hadebe said a 12-year-old boy arrived in South Africa from the United States on Sunday with flu-like symptoms and was admitted to a private hospital on Monday morning.

The results of laboratory tests confirmed the A(H1N1) influenza virus in the early hours of Thursday, SAPA reported Hadebe as saying.

"The patient was kept in isolation and discharged after a few days in hospital. He is well and recovering in isolation at home," he said.

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: S. Africa confirms 2nd H1N1 flu case

SA's second swine flu case confirmed

26 June 2009,

South Africa's second swine flu case has been confirmed in Joburg, just days after the first patient was given a clean bill of health.

A 29-year-old South African living in France who arrived in the country on Monday, took ill and was admitted to a Pretoria hospital, where he tested positive for H1N1 influenza.

Department of Health spokesperson Fidel Hadebe said, "The fact that we have a fast turn-around time to trace the H1N1 influenza is indicative that we are prepared to deal with it and there is no need for people to worry."

On Friday morning Hadebe said the man was "doing fine".

Cape Town Health Director Dr Ivan Bromfield said that at some point "we probably would see a few cases" in the city.

He said that since swine flu was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation two weeks ago, local health officials had been on high alert.

http://www.pretorianews.co.za/?fSectionId=&fArticleId=vn20090626103536584C734900

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: South Africa confirms 4th H1N1 flu case

More Swine Flu Cases In South Africa

Johannesburg -Health Department spokesperson Fidel Hadebe says two more cases of the H1N1 virus were confirmed On Friday afternoon, bringing the total number of swine flu cases to four in South Africa.

One case involved a patient who travelled from London with flu-like symptoms on June 24 and the other, the first outside Gauteng, involved a woman who flew into the country from the United States on June 20.

Hadebe has confirmed that the patients are well and being managed at home in accordance with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Department of Health guidelines. He says all the associated contacts will be followed up and given the necessary advice and treatment. The department urged the public not to panic, saying the two additional cases were not linked to the two cases confirmed earlier.

Earlier, Hadebe said the parents of the second person diagnosed with swine flu were put on anti-viral treatment. -

http://www.radiovop.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6693&Itemid=757

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: South Africa confirms 7th H1N1 flu case

Another link to Argentina

SA swine flu cases up to 7

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:25

Three more people were diagnosed with swine flu in South Africa over the weekend, pushing the country's number of cases to seven, the health department said on Monday.

Spokesperson Fidel Hadebe said the new three all had a history of recent international travel, but further details on their most recent destinations were not immediately available.

"We now have seven confirmed cases in total," said Hadebe.
"Three new cases were confirmed over the weekend."
The fifth and sixth patient are believed to be displaying mild symptoms and the department was still gathering information on the seventh patient's condition.

The South African health department is part of a World Health Organisation task team monitoring the global pandemic.
Hadebe said he would provide further information later, when it became available.

The illness, caused by the H1N1 virus, presents itself with cold- or flu-like symptoms

The third and fourth cases, which were confirmed on Friday, were of patients who had travelled from London and the United States.
Their treatment is being managed at home in accordance with WHO and health department guidelines and people they were in contact with will be consulted.

Among the seven cases, is rugby player Brian Liebenberg, according to Beeld newspaper.

Radebe said it was not department policy to supply names of people being treated, so could not confirm this.

Beeld reported Liebenberg, a member of the French Barbarians team, and four team-mates, had fallen ill after a trip to Argentina.

He had mild flu symptoms when he flew to Johannesburg last week and the virus was diagnosed when he went for a test at a Pretoria hospital. The results came back positive for the virus on Thursday.

- snip -

http://news.iafrica.com/sa/1540824.htm

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: South Africa confirms 11th H1N1 flu case

Eighth A/H1N1 flu case confirmed in South Africa's Gauteng province
+ -
18:39, July 03, 2009



The eighth case of the A/H1N1 influenza was confirmed in Gauteng, the South African Department of Health said on Thursday.

Spokesman Fidel Hadebe said the most recent case involved a 27-year-old South African woman who had returned from travelling in Europe.

She was fully recovered and was back at work, Hadebe said.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) reported a total of 11 cases as of July 1.

"There is a total of 11 laboratory-confirmed cases of novel influenza A/H1N1 in South Africa. There is no evidence to date of community transmission," the NCID said on its website.

Details of the patients, the dates of their infections and the origins of their infections were not immediately available.

http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90782/90880/6693086.html

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: South Africa - Confirmed H1N1 flu cases - 29

Date: 06 Jul 2009

Title: 11 new H1N1 influenza cases in SA
--------------------

By Gabi Khumalo

Pretoria - There are now 29 confirmed AH1N1 influenza (Swine Flu) cases in South Africa, following 11 new cases reported at the weekend.

The 11 cases, all university students, presented with flu-like symptoms at various medical centres and were confirmed positive by the National Institute of Communicable Diseases.

According to the statement released by the Department of Health on Monday, a total of 16 cases have been linked to university sports event in Gauteng, where the majority of students, who were male squash players, shared the same residence.

"The patients appear to have mild illness, no complications so far and are being managed in accordance with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Department of Health guidelines," departmental spokesperson Fidel Hadebe said.

They are recovering at home and were not admitted to the hospitals as they had no complications.

He said all the participants at the game had been informed of the possible contact with confirmed case on Friday. "All the other associated contacts will be followed up and given the necessary advice," he said.

The department warned that the participants who had attended the game came from different parts of the country and the likelihood of more cases from different provinces was therefore expected.

Mr Hadebe told BuaNews that investigations were ongoing as the department was still trying to establish the provinces where the infected students came from.

The first case of Swine Flu in South Africa was confirmed on 18 June.

Operational Outbreak Response Teams have been set up in all provinces and training of provincial rapid response teams on influenza pandemic preparedness and response has been conducted in all provinces.

Heightened clinical and laboratory surveillance are in place to identify any suspected case of the flu.

The department stressed that it will continue to maintain a high level of vigilance and preparedness.

Swine Flu first broke out in Mexico a few months ago and has since spread to other countries. WHO have raised its swine flu alert to the highest level, declaring its first global influenza pandemic in 40 years.

http://www.buanews.gov.za/news/09/09070611351001

[FrenchieGirl]

Re: South Africa - Confirmed H1N1 flu cases - 30

H1N1 'impossible to contain'
2009-07-06 20:05

11 new H1N1 cases confirmed
Motsoaledi: H1N1 under control

Johannesburg - The number of H1N1 flu cases in South Africa has risen to 30 since the first was reported in mid-June, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases said on Monday.

Some of the cases of influenza A H1N1, commonly known as swine flu, were linked to community transmission, spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala said in a statement.

Fourteen of these cases were of people who travelled to countries with community transmission.

Some students who were members of a squash team that recently played at the University of Johannesburg, who lived in the same residence, and their contacts accounted for 16 cases.

Shabalala said the majority of the students had a mild illness and were all recovering.

"It is highly likely that further cases linked to this event or contact with these confirmed known cases will occur in many parts of South Africa as they return to their home towns.

"It is also highly likely that there are additional cases linked to this event with very mild disease, who are undiagnosed."

'Virus impossible to contain'

Shabalala also ruled out the possibility of containing H1N1 flu, given the highly infectious nature of the virus. Many cases with mild symptoms would go undiagnosed.

People could spread infection a day before symptoms developed.

She also warned that focus should be directed at identifying people who were at risk of complications, particularly those with moderate or severe illness and close contacts who may be at risk for complications.

"Persons at risk for complications include the elderly and anyone with chronic underlying illness, such as diabetes, immuno deficiency, diabetes, and chronic chest problems."

She said although the institute continued providing testing for travellers returning from countries with H1N1 flu, the situation needed to be monitored in South Africa given concerns around infections in people with compromised immune systems.

- SAPA

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: South Africa - Confirmed H1N1 flu cases - 48

SA swine flu cases on the rise

July 09 2009 at 01:16PM

The first case of the H1N1 flu virus has been recorded in Mpumalanga, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in South Africa to 48, the health department said on Thursday.

Spokesperson Mpho Gabashane said the 30-year-old man from Mhluzi township in the Steve Tshwete municipal district tested positive on Wednesday.

"He complained of a sore throat and myalgia [muscle pain].

"The previous week, he attended an athletic meeting in Johannesburg, where we understand another case was confirmed," Gabashane said.

Following confirmation from the National Institute of Communicable Diseases, the man was kept under quarantine in an outside building at his home, where he lives with three other people including a four-year-old child.


"We want to assure the community that our officials have already moved swiftly to closely manage the situation. People are advised to report to the nearest health facility if they experience symptoms of swine flu," Gabashane said.

Symptoms include aches and pains, fever, fatigue, runny nose, sore throat, vomiting and diarrhoea.

http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=nw20090709130638442C386497

[hawkeye]

Re: South Africa - Confirmed H1N1 flu cases - 48

?My holiday swine flu nightmare ordeal?

2009/07/12
Barbara Hollands and Shaanaaz de Jager WEEKEND POST REPORTERS

CONFIRMED cases of the dreaded swine flu in South Africa have almost doubled since the start of the week with researchers predicting a dramatic rise in new infections in the Eastern and Southern Cape thanks to major sporting and cultural events in the region.

By late last night there were 54 laboratory-confirmed cases of swine flu, also known as the H1N1 virus, nationally ? up from 30 cases on Monday, according to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD)....

Based on figures from the province?s general clinical services division, DA provincial health spokesman Pine Pienaar said there were now eight confirmed cases of swine flu in the province ? four in East London, two in Grahamstown and one each in Port Elizabeth and Port Alfred. However, Eastern Cape health department spokesman Sizwe Kupelo could only confirm seven.

The NICD has warned this figure could climb dramatically because of events such as the Billabong Pro surfing championship under way in Jeffreys Bay and the National Arts Festival ending in Grahamstown today. The two events have drawn tens of thousands of visitors ? many from overseas ? to the region.

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: South Africa - Confirmed H1N1 flu cases - 75

SOUTH AFRICA: Swine flu cases more than known

13 Jul 2009

Source: IRIN

Reuters and AlertNet are not responsible for the content of this article or for any external internet sites. The views expressed are the author's alone.

JOHANNESBURG , 13 July 2009 (IRIN) - South Africa has recorded 75 laboratory confirmed H1N1 influenza cases - more commonly known as swine flu - but the executive director of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), Prof Barry Schoub, conceded at a Johannesburg media briefing on 13 July that "there are probably many more [cases]".

Dr Frew Benson, of South Africa's National department of Health, said: "The problem in Africa is that the surveillance systems are not as good as in the western world ... there will be more cases," but the vast majority of infections were mild.

So far, all the cases have been detected by private health care services, but most South Africans use the overburdened public health care system for medical treatment.

Gauteng province, the country's economic hub, has recorded 39 infections, most of which occurred at a Johannesburg university squash tournament, but cases of swine flu have been identified in all of the country's nine provinces.

Schoub said the incidence of swine flu was expected to increase with the end of the public school holidays on 20 July, as "all respiratory infections go down during school holidays and go up again when schools start" because children were "reservoirs" for viruses.

A total of 193 confirmed swine flu cases have been recorded in 10 African countries, but as yet there have been no fatalities.

Benson said in South Africa the focus would shift from "counting cases" to strengthening monitoring and surveillance systems, cluster outbreaks, serious cases requiring hospitalization and high-risk communities.

High-risk communities were similar to those classified as at higher risk of common influenza, such as people managing existing conditions like diabetes, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, HIV/AIDS, those aged 65 years or older, and pregnant women.

Dr Lucille Blumberg, head of epidemiology at the NICD, said there had been "no confirmed community transmissions" as yet in South Africa, and no indication that swine flu would have a more severe impact on people living with HIV/AIDS than other influenzas.

Most of the world's people living with HIV/AIDS are in southern Africa.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/c23f9afb4ccacd8824387f49d513913c.htm

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: South Africa - Confirmed H1N1 flu cases - 100 +

N1H1 tops 100

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:28

South Africa passed the 100 mark for recorded cases of swine flu on Thursday, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) said.
This means that, in line with a World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation last week, it will stop the routine testing of suspected cases as it has established that the pandemic has reached South Africa.

It now expects a shift from cases detected in people with a history of recent global travel, to community transmission.

"Fortunately all cases so far had been relatively mild, presenting no differently to the regular winter seasonal influenza which is in fact more common in the country at present," the institute said.

"There is therefore little reason to continue with the very resource-intensive practice of testing all suspect cases as, in the great majority of these cases it offers very little advantage to clinicians managing individual patients."

They will do laboratory testing for the H1N1 virus which causes the illness if it is warranted and will continue to chart the behaviour of the virus and monitor any changes in its characteristics.

At a briefing earlier this week, the institute said there may be an increase in cases next week as public schools return for the new term.

Most cases have been reported through the private health system and there are no clear indications yet how it is affecting the wider community which relies on public hospitals.

Already some private schools, like St Stithians College in Johannesburg, have reported cases. School staff have consulted the health department for advice.

Symptoms are similar to the common cold or flu and can be treated in the same way, the institute has said.

People with underlying illnesses, like a chest condition, diabetes or HIV/Aids, may not recover as easily and are advised to see a doctor if their symptoms persist.

According to the WHO, the virus is spread in droplets through speaking, sneezing or coughing.

They recommend people stand at least a metre away from someone showing flu-like symptoms, avoid touching their nose or mouth, clean hands with soap and water, reduce the time spent in a crowd setting if possible, open windows in their living space and lead a healthy lifestyle.

http://news.iafrica.com/sa/1573698.htm

[FrenchieGirl]

Re: South Africa - Confirmed H1N1 flu cases - 100 +

Swine flu toll reaches 114 in SA

July 17 2009 at 09:09AM

Eleven new cases of swine flu have been reported, raising South Africa's toll to 114, the SABC reported on Friday.

Seven of the 11 new cases have a history of travel to countries affected by swine flu, the health department said.

The World Health Organisation has said that swine flu, officially known as the H1N1 virus, is the fastest-moving pandemic ever and that it is now pointless to count every case, the SABC reported. - Sapa

[Shiloh]

Re: South Africa - Confirmed H1N1 flu cases - 480

Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp...4P0Uw9VClWfE4g

Swine flu cases soar to 480 in South Africa

(AFP) ? 2 hours ago

JOHANNESBURG ? South Africa's swine flu caseload has increased fourfold in two weeks, with 480 confirmed cases as of Friday, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases said.

Most of the victims are young, but so far, no one in the country has died from the A(H1N1) virus, the institute said.

"We are not seeing severe illness," said the institute's deputy director, Lucille Blumberg, according to the South African Press Association.

South Africa's first swine flu case was recorded on June 14.

Health authorities recommend that only people with moderate to severe symptoms or chronic illnesses, such as HIV, seek medical attention.

Anyone with flu symptoms is urged to stay at home as much as possible for seven days and practice good hygiene such as hand washing.