Durban: Twenty people have died of swine flu
in South Africa and more than 5000 have been affected by the
A(H1N1) virus.
South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said today
that majority of the deaths were pregnant women and some
having under-lying illnesses such as diabetes and TB.
He said the Government was concerned that an increasing
number of pregnant women were falling victims to the A(H1N1)
influenza.
We would like to emphasise that pregnant women should
immediately consult their medical practitioners as soon as
they notice flu-like symptoms, Motsoaledi said.
"The directive to all health care workers, in line with
our Pandemic Influenza guidelines, is to put pregnant women
with flu-like symptoms on Tamiflu treatment," the minister
said.
The Minister also said that as part of government's
communication efforts on the pandemic, the Health department
has established a hotline and an email address, where the
public could request more information or ask specific
questions related to the A(H1N1) virus.
The first victim of swine flu death in South Africa was a
22-year-old student from Stellenbosh University in Cape Town.
Bureau Report
First Published: Wednesday, August 26, 2009, 14:35