Saturday, August 8, 2009

Swine flu South Africa: Swine flu death in Bloemfontein, several rugby players ill, Naka Drotske ill

SHOOT: Be alert to people in your community who are ill. I know a several. These news reports imply that it is now incredibly widespread. It's not called a 'global pandemic' for nothing.

The Times: In the Currie Cup, Cheetahs players Louis Strydom and Naka Drotske were also ill.

Six players in the Free State’s under-19 team have been pulled out of a game against the Griffons in Bloemfontein on Friday because they were suffering from flu.

Several schools in Pretoria North have also confirmed cases of swine flu.

The country’s first H1N1 victim was 22-year-old Stellenbosch University student Ruan Muller.

Swine flu was first recorded in South Africa in the middle of June. In early August, the NICD put the number of cases in the country at 480.
clipped from www.thetimes.co.za

South Africa’s second swineflu death was confirmed in Bloemfontein on Saturday, amidst media reports that the victim died from blood poisoning

The 15-year-old teenager was admitted to Pelonomi Hospital with pneumonia symptoms but the health department confirmed he died of the N1H1 virus.

"We have confirmed it with the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD)," said health department spokesman Fidel Hadebe.

Tests were also carried out on a Western Cape man, Johann Hack, who died on Tuesday.

"The tests have been done and we are waiting for the NICD to officially notify us," Hadebe said.

If confirmed, Hack would be the country’s third victim.

The 44-year-old man from Phoenix was admitted into Mount Edgecombe hospital earlier with pneumonia symptoms.

Meanwhile, four under-21 Lions players were reportedly diagnosed with swine flu, prompting organisers to cancel a game against Boland.

"It is too early to say how many have swine flu," coach Timmy Goodwin told the Beeld newspaper.

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