SA records increase in flu cases between August and November
Although the majority of people with influenza will present with mild illness, influenza may cause severe illness.
SOUTH Africa has recorded a steady increase in the number of influenza cases from 23 August, with a sharp growth in the week of November, 1.
The data shows that the total number of influenza cases detected by the syndromic sentinel surveillance programmes conducted by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has jumped from 68 to 226 during this period.
According to the NICD, this includes influenza-like illness (ILI) and hospitalised cases of pneumonia.
The statement released on Wednesday said both the NICD and private laboratories have received reports of clusters of influenza cases in schools and workplaces.
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“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 complications,” said the NICD’s Medical Epidemiologist, Dr Sibongile Walaza.
Groups at an increased risk of severe complications of influenza include pregnant women, HIV-infected individuals, those with chronic illnesses or conditions such as diabetes, lung disease, tuberculosis, heart disease, renal disease and obesity.
In addition, the elderly between the ages of 65 and older and children under the age of two are more prone to contract flu as well.
The NICD’s Head of the Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, Professor Cheryl Cohen, said the increase in influenza in the summer, which is not the typical time for the influenza season, is likely the result of relaxation of non-pharmaceutical interventions to control Covid-19.
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