/ 8 October 2009

South Africa’s swine flu death toll climbs past 90

The swine flu death toll in South Africa has reached 91, while more than 12 000 cases have been recorded since June, health authorities said on Wednesday.

”As of October 6 2009, a total of 91 pandemic influenza A[H1N1] related deaths have been confirmed,” the National Institute for Communicable Diseases [NICD] said.

Most of the victims were people with chronic illnesses, from infants to adults up to 70 years of age, as well as pregnant women.

Gauteng has been the worst affected, followed by the Western Cape.

According to the NICD, the infection rate was beginning to drop as the country’s ends its cold season.

South Africa’s first swine flu case was detected on June 18. — AFP

 

AFP