Third, fourth cases of H1N1 confirmed in SA

"These cases, all adults, are not related to each other or either of the first two cases," the Department of Health said on Friday.

The third patient, travelled from London and presented with flu-like symptoms on 24 June - and the diagnosis was confirmed on 26 June.

The fourth case, the first outside Gauteng and with recent travel history in the United States flew to South Africa on 20 June.

"She presented to a general practitioner on 24 June with flu symptoms and was confirmed positive the evening of 26 June," the department said, adding that all the tests were conducted by the National Institute of Communicable Diseases.

The patients are well and being managed at home in accordance with the World Health Organisation and the Department of Health guidelines.

"All the associated contacts will be followed up and given the necessary advice and treatment," the department said.

The department would like to appeal to members of the public not to panic. "The fact that cases are detected and results made available within a short space of time is indicative of the country's preparedness and ability to respond to the H1N1 pandemic," the department said.

Article published courtesy of BuaNews