Pretoria - The department of health says the confirmed case of H1N1 influenza in the country does not present any danger to the Confederations Cup currently underway.
"I want to again state that we have systems in place to respond appropriately to any case suspected or confirmed case of H1N1 Influenza," Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said on Friday.
The minister urged visitors from abroad to present to the nearest health facility if they develop any flu-like symptoms.
In terms of operations at the country's major Airport (OR Tambo Airport), two rooms have been designated for Port Health Services, with one being used as a clinic and the other for isolation purposes. The clinic caters for both arrivals and departures. There are four registered nurses and one supporting doctor stationed at the airport.
According to Minister Motsoaledi, the healthcare officials will ensure that people who are suspected of having Swine Flu or have similar symptoms are identified as soon as they arrive in the country.
"We have a preparedness plan in place and remain confident that we will continue to respond positively to any further cases that maybe confirmed," Minister Motsoaledi said.
On Thursday, the Department of Health confirmed that a 12-year-old boy from the United States, who had flown to South Africa on 14 June 2009 to visit his father, has Swine Flu.
According to the department, the boy had flu like symptoms, which were picked up when he arrived in Atlanta, but was allowed to board a flight.
Minister Motsoaledi said while the department was concerned about the first confirmed case of Swine Flu in Sub Sahara, there was no indication that the virus would spread to other developing countries.
"We are not faced with the virulent disease that can kill almost everything but we are not saying that people should not take precautions," he said.
The boy is recovering in isolation at home and his close family contacts will remain in quarantine for a period of seven days to minimise the risks of any spread of the influenza virus.
The department is currently trying to locate passengers who were seated in two rows behind and in front of the boy and next to him at the airplane.
Deputy Director of the National Institute for Communicable Disease, Dr Lucille Blumberg, commended South Africa for the swift action it took in dealing with the case and picking up the symptoms as soon as the boy arrived in the country.
"The correct procedures were followed in South Africa," Dr Blumberg said, adding that they had established a monitoring system.
WHO's Influenza Programme Technical Officer Coninx Kanokporn said she was also impressed with the country's response to the N1H1 case.
