‘First’ Swine-flu death appears in Africa

South Africa has confirmed its first death from swine-flu, and the case is believed to be the first documented fatality from the virus in sub-Saharan Africa, the BBC reports.

Health official said a 22-year-old student had died on 28 July, and tests had confirmed the cause of death as the H1NI influenza virus.

“He died on the 28 July, but there had to be some testing done to ensure the cause of death. It was the H1N1 influenza,” said Fidel Hadebe, spokesman for the Department of Health, says the AFP news.

Ruan Muller, the 22-year-old at Stellenbosch University near Cape Town, fell ill on 20 July and went to a campus clinic for treatment.

His condition did not improve and he then saw a general practitioner. As he remained ill he later saw another doctor who referred him to a private hospital for treatment by a specialist.

He was treated as a case of Atypical Pneumonia with antibiotics. On the 27 July, his condition deteriorated and he was moved to the Intensive Care Unit where he died on the 28 July.

The BBC says South Africa has had at least 150 confirmed swine flu cases, and the highest rate in sub-Saharan Africa.

The country’s first case of the disease was confirmed on 18 June, and according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has had 151 cases in total.

The illness has previously caused hundreds of deaths in North and South America, and dozens more have died in Asia and Europe.

After Ruan’s death, Theuns Botha, Western Cape Health Minister said: “I want to reassure our public that there is no need to panic. The student who lost his life did not have an underlying medical condition, or compromised immune system. His death was unusual, and the overwhelming number of people who contact the virus recover fully,” The AFP news reports.

Russel Botman, Rector and Vice-Chancellor at Stellenbosch University also said there is no reason for panic. Although the University have seen an increase in flu-related illness on campus, the situation is under control.

“The number of medical practitioners on campus health services has been increased to expand the capacity for media care,” Botman continued.

The country’s swine flu plan includes a contingency for closing schools on a case-by-case basis.

In the meantime, health authorities are encouraging those with mild flu symptoms to stay at home and recover as they would from a normal illness.

Till now, the government has not revealed how much of the Tamiflu antiviral drugs it has on hand, but has said its stockpile will only be used for the seriously ill, the AFP news reports.