The Gauteng Department of Health has noted the unconfirmed reports of the outbreak of swine flu around the province, and we can assure the public there is no outbreak.

The Department is working closely with the National Institute of Communicable Disease (NICD) to investigate the reports. In addition, the Department has notified the health facilities to be on the look-out for patients displaying symptoms of swine flu.

The symptoms include amongst others; sudden onset of fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath extreme tiredness and weakness, headache, muscle pain and body aches, cold shivers and hot sweats.

“I would like to allay any fears about the outbreak and spread of the disease and reaffirm the National Institute of Communicable Disease reports of the 2019 South African influenza season.

“The report states that the country has reached high levels in the Viral Watch programme and as result we would like to encourage Gauteng residents to present themselves to the nearby facilities if they experience aforementioned signs and symptoms,” said Gauteng Health MEC Dr Bandile Masuku.

As part of preventative measures to control the spread of flu and other airborne diseases -  the public is encouraged to cover mouth when coughing/sneezing (e.g. cough into a tissues, cough into a sleeve) and also to discard used tissues and  wash hands with soap at all times.

The Department is also calling on vulnerable people such as children, chronic , HIV positive patients and those over 65 years as well as  pregnant women to  visit their nearest health facilities to vaccinate against influenza.

Issued by Gauteng Health