H1N1 Influenza's Effects on Africa:
Swine Flu Can be Deadly for Countries with Poor Healthcare Systems
The H1N1 pandemic, otherwise known as Swine flu derived from pigs has spread to 159 countries and territories around the world, with a cumulative number of 146 609 confirmed cases and 1 096 confirmed deaths.
Sadly, many families have had to say their goodbyes to their loved ones as a cure is still being sought for this deadly disease.
Communities are terrified about the effects of the disease, and some fear that it might even touch them, or their families. The worst affected, and feared of obtaining the virus are HIV and Aids patients and Diabetics. This is, ultimately, one of the greatest fears for African countries, who are under-resourced and have limited medical facilities to take care of these patients who might contract the spreading disease.
Panic spread in South Africa, which is a country that is much more equipped than other African countries to control the disease, when a 22 year-old student died last month of the disease. However, governments still reassure the public of the measures that are in place to deal with the outbreak in the country.
Globally government health departments are working closely with the World Health Organisation (WHO), the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), the Centres for Disease Control (CDC), civil society, private hospitals and doctors’ associations to manage this global pandemic.
The number of globally reported cases underestimates the real number of cases, given that countries are no longer required to test and report individual mild cases. However, if the above statistics are regarded as the status of the pandemic in the world then we can expect about 7 deaths per 1000 people who contract the virus.
South Africa confirmed its first case on 18 June 2009, and to date the country has more than 600 confirmed cases. All provinces are affected, but we have localised spread in Gauteng and the Western Cape.
What To Do If You Think You Have The Disease?
Any person with chronic heart or lung diseases, diabetes, HIV and AIDS or who is pregnant, are at risk for severe disease and should seek immediate medical attention, especially those in the age group 14 years to 30 years, which is where most infections appear to occur.
Learners, students at universities and other institutions of higher should be particularly on alert for the development of symptoms. If they develop mild flu-like symptoms they should stay at home and only return when they are better. They should seek medical attention should they develop any danger signs such as weakness, severe drowsiness, difficulty in breathing, shortness of breath, inability to drink fluids and dehydration.
Doctors who see individuals with flu-like symptoms should consider H1N1 as part of the differential diagnosis, even when there is no travel history, and treat moderate and severe cases, or those at high risk, early with anti-viral medication.
The majority of people who contract flu, including H1N1, will have a mild self-limiting illness. These cases do not need any special treatment, however, where any doubt exists a doctor or health facility should be consulted.
Swine Flu Virus
|
What do you think about this article?
More in Health & Wellness
Latest Articles