Pretoria - The Department of Health has urged high-risk patients to visit their nearest public health facility to get vaccinated against H1N1 influenza.
Department spokesperson Fidel Hadebe said on Monday that since the FIFA World Cup started on 11 June 2010, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has confirmed one case of H1N1 influenza.
"A 30-year-old pregnant woman from Gauteng was confirmed with H1N1 after presenting herself to the doctor with symptoms; she is recovering at home," Hadebe told BuaNews.
Hadebe urged people who are diabetic, pregnant or have HIV and AIDS to go to any public facility to be vaccinated, adding that the department is still continuing with its vaccination campaign for H1N1 influenza for all people at risk as a preventative measure.
"The case was not unexpected as we have expected the second wave of the H1N1 virus to hit the country during the winter season, with visitors across the globe coming to the country for the World Cup," he said, stressing that the country has enough stock for flu vaccination.
Commenting on the health situation around the FIFA World Cup, Hadebe said that apart from responding to routine incidents such as minor accidents, the department is encouraged that so far no major public health incident has been encountered.
"Through its state-of-the art National Health Operations Centre based at the South African Millitary Health Services, the department is continuing to monitor the health situation around the World Cup."
