01 September 2009
As at Monday the 31st August 2009, there have been 5 841 laboratory confirmed cases and 27 deaths with laboratory confirmation by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service.
Of the 27 fatal cases to date, 12 were pregnant women, five of whom had no identified underlying conditions, two were HIV-positive, two were HIV-positive with TB, one had TB and one was obese with a history of substance abuse.Details of one case are still outstanding. Underlying conditions were identified for 12 of the remaining fatal cases; one with asthma, one who was obese, two who were HIV-positive, three patients with chronic cardiac diseases plus obesity plus diabetes, two patients with diabetes, one with hypertension and chronic renal failure.
Any persons with co-morbidity or pregnant women in the second or third trimester, or in the puerperal period must receive early treatment with antivirals if Influenza-like illness is present. Treatment should be instituted prior to any laboratory results in this group.
The majority of illness in persons without any underlying conditions remains mild and self-limiting.
Issued by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service.
For further information please contact Nombuso Shabalala on 011 386 6462 or 082 886 4238