''Achoo!'' SA sees increase in flu cases

South Africa is currently experiencing the annual influenza (flu) season, which started in the week of 22 April 2024. According to the department of health, several flu strains are circulating causing severe health complications in some patients.

“This has been confused with the COVID-19 variant which has been in circulation with a low level of transmissibility and severity,’’ said Foster Mohale, spokesperson for National Department of Health.

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The most commonly detected and circulating flu is “swine flu” because it causes disease in pigs, followed by influenza B/Victoria and influenza A (H3N2).

The department said this was not unusual as swine flu has been circulating as one of the annual seasonal flu strains since 2010.

“Influenza A virus is more severe in adults. About 8% to 10% of patients hospitalised for pneumonia and 25% of patients with flu-like illness such as fever and cough will test positive for influenza during the flu season in South Africa.”

According to the NICD surveillance data, the numbers of flu cases and positivity rates are increasing rapidly, but the transmission and impact remain at a moderate level of activity for both outpatient and hospitalised cases.

“This means that while there is a lot of influenza circulating, it is still within the expected range for a normal influenza season. Influenza may cause severe illness leading to hospitalisation or possibly death, especially among those who are at risk of severe influenza illness or complications.”

High-risk groups include pregnant women, mothers six weeks after delivery, individuals living with HIV, those with chronic conditions such as diabetes, lung disease, tuberculosis, heart disease, renal disease, obesity, the elderly and children under two years old.

“These groups of people are strongly encouraged to receive the influenza vaccine available freely at public health clinics or a cost from private healthcare providers and through pharmacies.”

Ideally, the vaccine should be administered before the start of the flu season because it takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop, but it is not too late for people to get it to protect themselves and their loved ones against these viruses.

The Department encouraged the public to cover their mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, ventilation, and regular hand washing with water and soap or sanitiser, to minimise the spread of the disease.

 

Done By: Mitchum George