SA’s 2010 swine flu danger

ALEISHA TISSEN

JOHANNESBURG - South Africans have been warned not to become complacent about swine flu as it remains a grave health threat around the world ahead of the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

Dr Pete Vincent of the Netcare Travel Clinics said swine flu dangers are “real and should not be underestimated”.

Although swine flu is now past its prime autumn and winter peaks in parts of the northern hemisphere, Vincent said the virus could be rife during the World Cup as it takes place in the winter months.

“The H1N1 virus could well make a big return to South Africa during our next flu season. We will have a lot of people visiting the country over the period of the World Cup, therefore, the conditions for a rapid spread of the virus will be good,” added Vincent.

Medical experts have recommended that the most effective protection against the virus is vaccination, and this year’s flu vaccine will provide protection against the H1N1 virus as well.

Vincent added studies had shown one of the most dangerous complications associated with swine flu is secondary infection from bacterial pneumonia and advised those at risk of developing flu related complications to also seriously consider having the pneumococcal vaccination.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) spokesman Nombuso Shabalala last week said the H1N1 vaccine will be available by March and initially given to those in high risk groups including pregnant women and those with diabetes.

The Department of Health is also planning to run an extensive H1N1 vaccination drive by vaccinating about one million people in March prior to the soccer spectacle.

According to the World Health Organisation there have been 15 174 swine flu deaths around the world with South Africa accounting for 93 of these.