The National Department of Health says there has been a significant increase in the number of influenza cases in the country since the beginning of May.
PICTURE: PixabayAccording to the National Institute for Communicable
Diseases (NICD), the cases have been steadily increasing since early April. It
has received reports of influenza clusters in schools and workplaces.
"The increase in case numbers has been identified in
six provinces - KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Western Cape, Eastern Cape
and North West - where surveillance is conducted," says Health Department
spokesperson Foster Mohale.
"Although the majority of people with influenza will
present with mild illness, influenza may cause severe illness, which may
require hospitalisation or cause death, especially in individuals who are at
risk of getting severe influenza illness or complications.
"People at increased risk of severe health
complications of influenza include pregnant women, people living with
conditions like HIV and other chronic illnesses or conditions such as diabetes,
lung disease, tuberculosis, heart disease, renal disease and obesity, the
elderly (65 years and older) and children younger than 2 years old.
Mohale says getting vaccinated against influenza is the
best way to prevent infection.
"While the influenza vaccine should be administered at
least before the influenza season (March to April), even if the season has
already started, it is never too late to get vaccinated.’’
"People who are infected with influenza can prevent
spread by covering their mouth when coughing with a tissue or cough into the
elbow; wearing a mask, washing their hands frequently with soap and water or
cleaning hands using an alcohol-based sanitiser; or staying at home and trying
to keep a distance from others," added Foster Mohale, says Health
Department spokesperson.
Done By: Mitchum George
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