Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
09 June 2023 | 21:15 CAT

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The National Institute for Communicable Diseases has notified the Department of Health of an increase in the number of flu cases across the country since the beginning of May. The Institute says it has seen these increases in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Western Cape, Eastern Cape and the North West.

Influenza, or the flu, is an acute illness caused by an infection of the respiratory tract by the influenza virus.

Health activist Dr Aslam Dasoo, who is also the Convenor of the Progressive Health Forum, spoke to Radio Islam International.

According to Dr Dasoo, the flu has been an ongoing pandemic since the Spanish flu a hundred years ago, which has set the flu into a seasonal pattern globally and follows the winter.

“There are slight changes to the flu generic structure as it produces each year, for which flu vaccines are designed to protect against the new variants every year. However, there is nothing to be alarmed about, but regard the flu as an illness that could be potentially deadly in certain circumstances,” says Dr Dasoo.

A statement issued by the health department on Saturday said cases had steadily increased since week 15 (starting 10 April), and the NICD received reports of influenza clusters in schools and workplaces.

“Although most people with influenza will present with mild illness, influenza may cause severe illness, which may require hospitalisation or cause death, especially in individuals at risk of getting severe influenza illness or complications,” said the department.

Listen to the full interview on Sabahul Muslim with host Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat.