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Swine Flu Update
2009/05/04
LATEST NEWS ON SWINE FLU: A woman in the Western Cape suspected of contracting swine flu has been cleared from the disease. The second from Gauteng is awaiting her test results. In both cases, suspected victims travelled to Mexico in the month of April. Emergency steps are also underway to thawrt any threats of swine flu entering the country. Thermal scanners to detect raised body temperatures have been set up at the OR Tambo airport. Hospitals have enough stock of antivirals to treat 100000 cases. Other plans in place to fight the disease include:
- Compulsory medical questionnaires for passengers coming into South Africa
- A budget set aside to buy more antivirals, should this become necessary
- More chemicals and equipment for testing in laboratories; and
- A hotline to clinics to report any suspected cases
FACTS ABOUT SWINE FLU: Swine flu is a widespread respiratory disease among pigs caused by a type A flu virus. The current new viral strain in pigs is different in that it can cross the species barrier and infect humans, especially people who come into contact with infected pigs.
The virus is highly contagious where people live in close proximity and it can become a pandemic that can spread quickly across continents. Swine flu spreads like normal flu and it can take anything from one to seven days for symptoms to show following infection.
Symptoms of swine flu include a fever above 38°C, cough, headache, aching joints, nasal congestion and lack of appetite. Occasionally some victims may have a runny nose, sore throat, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Fortunately there is available treatment if the disease is successfully diagnosed. A vaccine is available for pigs but not for humans. People, especially those in high risk areas (those who travel a lot and those who regularly come to into contact with pigs) are advised to avoid shaking hands, touching public areas such as door handles, lift knobs etc. Wearing a face mask is advisable as well as practising normal hygienic habits like washing your hands.
Mexico has been most affected by swine flu however more countries are reporting cases and the World Health Organisation in Geneva says that governments are warning their populations on a worldwide pandemic.
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