My brother posted a message on our family WhatsApp group last week, warning that increased cases of swine flu were being reported across Gauteng. As of last Friday, there were 38 confirmed cases of the influenza strain with the majority of them being in the capital city, Pretoria. Last month, there were reports of a swine flu outbreak in the Western Cape after more than 20 people were treated for the virus.

So, should I be concerned?

The department of health in the Western Cape has assured people that there is no need to panic and the Gauteng department of health says the virus has been circulating through each flu season since 2010 and there is nothing to be concerned about.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) in South Africa has also been tracking influenza viruses since the flu season began in May this year. In a statement, they said that “The influenza season, which started in the week of the 9th May 2016, was initially dominated by influenza B virus. However in recent weeks there has been an increase in the number of cases testing positive for influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 and influenza A (H3N2)”. They state however that the reported rise is nothing unexpected and a decrease in the number of cases is expected within the next few weeks with the end of winter.

“Swine flu” was the popular name for flu caused by a relatively new type of flu virus responsible for a global flu pandemic in 2009-10. It’s now just a normal seasonal flu and is included in the annual flu vaccine. The virus was first identified in Mexico in April 2009. It became known as swine flu because it’s similar to flu viruses that affect pigs.

The facts:

  • Swine flu is a respiratory disease caused by influenza viruses that infect the respiratory tract of pigs and result in a barking cough, decreased appetite, nasal secretions, and listless behaviour; the virus can be transmitted to humans.
  • Swine flu viruses may change so that they are easily transmissible among humans.
  • The 2009 swine flu outbreak was due to infection with the H1N1 virus and was first observed in Mexico.

About the virus:

  • Symptoms of swine flu in humans are similar to most influenza infections: fever (38 degrees C plus), cough, nasal secretions, fatigue, and headache.
  • The incubation period for the disease is about one to four days.
  • Swine flu is contagious about one day before symptoms develop to about five to seven days after symptoms develop (some patients may be contagious for longer).
  • Swine flu is transmitted from person to person by inhalation or ingestion of droplets containing virus from people sneezing or coughing; it is not transmitted by eating cooked pork products.
  • The most serious complication of the flu is pneumonia.

Prevention:

Wash your hands often. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

In conclusion:

If you do have any of the above symptoms, please see your GP. Thankfully, the NICD says the flu season is expected to last only until the second week of October. So, eat healthily, drink your eight glasses of water a day, exercise regularly, get some good sleep, and enjoy good health this season.