With June being one of the coldest months in winter, the Department of Health has issued a warning on the rise of influenza (flu) cases in the country. In a statement on Saturday, the department says it was notified by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) about the rising cases. The outbreak was detected in early April. 

TAKE CAUTION

Foster Mohale, spokesperson for the Department of Health, says cases of flu have been steadily increasing since the 10th of April and the NICD has received reports of influenza clusters in schools and workplaces. "There are two types of influenza viruses that commonly infect humans, namely A and B. The flu viruses are typically in circulation before the winter season in South Africa. The virus spreads from person to person through inhalation of infected respiratory droplets when people are sneezing, coughing, or talking. A person can also be infected by touching contaminated objects or surfaces that the flu virus is on and then touching their mouth, eyes, or nose," Mohale said. He added that this year's influenza season started in the last week of April when the flu detection rate breached the seasonal threshold and remained on low activity for two consecutive weeks in the pneumonia surveillance programme.

SYMPTOMS

The most common symptoms include fever, muscle pains and body aches, dry cough, sore throat, runny nose, feeling tired or unwell, and headache. "These may develop one to four days after infection and last for two to seven days. For the majority of people, the symptoms commonly resolve without treatment," said Mohale.

PROVINCES IDENTIFIED

The increase in case numbers has been identified in six provinces, namely KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and North West ?" where surveillance is conducted. "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 two years old," said Mohale.