NATIONAL NEWS - The increase in case numbers has been identified in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, North West and the Western Cape, where surveillance is conducted.
There has been a steady increase in the number of influenza cases reported from the influenza-like illness (ILI) and pneumonia (hospitalised cases) surveillance sentinel sites in South Africa.
This according to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) which reported that the increase was noted from the week starting 23 August with a sharp increase in the week starting 1 November.
“In addition, private laboratories have reported an increase in influenza case detections and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), a division of the National Health Laboratory Service, has received reports of clusters of influenza cases in schools and workplaces,” the institute said in a statement.
Influenza A (H3N2), influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 and influenza B are seasonal influenza virus strains that are common in human populations.
Influenza A (H1N1) pdm09, which is sometimes incorrectly referred to as “swine flu”, has been one of the circulating seasonal influenza strains following its emergence in 2009.
“The term ‘swine flu’ should not be used as it causes unnecessary panic. The clinical course of infection with this influenza strain and clinical management is similar to that of other influenza strains.”
The increase in case numbers has been identified in all five provinces and as of the week ending November 7, the NICD’s syndromic sentinel surveillance programmes detected it has increased from 68 in the week of November 1 to 226.
These provinces are Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, North West and the Western Cape.
The NICD said even though the detection rates for influenza in their surveillance programme exceeded previous seasonal thresholds, absolute numbers remained relatively low compared to previous years, possibly as a result of reduced health-seeking behaviour following the Covid-19 pandemic.
“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 Dr Sibongile Walaza, Medical Epidemiologist at the Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis (CRDM) at the NICD.
“Groups at an increased risk of severe complications of influenza include, pregnant women; HIV-infected individuals; those with chronic illnesses or conditions like diabetes, lung disease, tuberculosis, heart disease, renal disease and obesity; the elderly (65 years and older) and children under the age of two years.
"These groups should be encouraged to seek medical help early.”
Prof Cheryl Cohen, Head of the CRDM said the increase in influenza in the summer, which was not the typical time for the influenza season, was likely the result of relaxation of non-pharmaceutical interventions to control Covid-19, combined with an immunity gap due to influenza not circulating for two years (2020 and 2021) in the country.
