2 000+ 'exposed' to H1N1 in Jhb

2009-07-06 08:04

Herman Scholtz

Johannesburg - Over 2 000 sportspeople from universities across the country have possibly been exposed to swine flu, and several have already tested positive for the virus.

Dr Lucille Blumberg of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has confirmed the latest outbreak of H1N1 influenza.

She said that on Friday the NICD sent letters to all the sportspeople who took part in the University Sports South Africa (USSA) tournament in Johannesburg, telling them they have possibly been exposed to the virus and should report any serious symptoms immediately.

Blumberg said four cases related to the latest outbreak were confirmed on Saturday. She added that on Sunday "we confirmed another 11 cases, but it's not certain whether they are all connected to the latest outbreak."

By Sunday afternoon, South Africa had 29 confirmed cases of H1N1 flu.

At least five squash players tested positive for the virus last week. It is unclear whether participants of other sports codes were also infected.

Prohibited from travelling

All sport activities were held at the Universities of Johannesburg and the Witwatersrand. The first participant to display symptoms of swine flu was Shaun Mackenzie of Pretoria University's squash team.

On Sunday he related how he had flown from Zimbabwe to Johannesburg last Sunday. He had been visiting his parents during the university holiday.

"I went from the airport to the Tuks' High Performance Centre where I spent about two hours before I went to the tournament."

According to Mackenzie, he started to feel ill on the first day of the tournament. "I started coughing on Tuesday and by that night I had a very high fever. I went to see a doctor on Wednesday."

The doctors instructed him to wear a mask and take other preventative measures while they waited for his test results. The test results came back as positive last Thursday.

Mackenzie was prohibited from travelling and is currently staying with family in Johannesburg until he is well enough to fly back to Zimbabwe later this week for the rest of his vacation.

"I feel fine already," he said on Sunday.

Liz Mackenzie (no relation), head coach of Tukkies’ squash team and committee member of University Sports South Africa (USSA), said they have encouraged the rest of the sportspeople to have themselves tested as soon as they start to feel ill.

 

- Beeld