The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has warned that pregnant women and people with HIV and chronic conditions are at high risk of severe complications, after clusters of flu have been reported countrywide.
It said the 2023 influenza season in South Africa started on 24 April and virus activity remains high, reports News24.
Pathcare clinical virologist Professor Nickie Goedhals said the country was seeing a spike that was mainly due to influenza A viruses, and that annual vaccination was the best way to prevent infection.
“RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and influenza occur seasonally, and the flu season is currently under way in South Africa, with the RSV activity being on the decline after peaking in March. These viruses present similarly to Covid-19 and are also transmitted in the same way. It is generally very difficult to distinguish the respiratory viruses based on the symptoms, so lab testing is needed to confirm which specific virus is causing the illness.”
Professor Cheryl Cohen, head of the centre for respiratory diseases and meningitis at the NICD, said three types of seasonal influenza were circulating.
“These are influenza A (H3N2), influenza A (H1N1) pdm09, and influenza B, which are common seasonal influenza strains in humans. Influenza A (H1N1) pdm09, sometimes incorrectly referred to as ‘swine flu’, has been one of the circulating seasonal influenza strains since its emergence in 2009. The clinical course of infection and management of this strain is similar to other strains,” she said.
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