The first inklings of what’s to come: cases of Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) start to be reported out of Mexico.

The WHO makes its first report about the so-called Swine Influenza (A) H1N1.

In Mexico, the number of cases rises steadily, and there are now more than 854 cases of pneumonia in the capital. Of those, 59 have died. Suspect cases are reported in 19 of the country's 32 states, and 28 more cases of ILI have been confirmed, with three deaths. The majority of cases have occurred in otherwise healthy young adults.

The US government reports seven cases of influenza (A) H1N1: all have mild ILI, with one requiring brief hospitalisation.

The Mexican Director-General declares Swine Influenza (A) H1N1 a public health emergency.

The US reports 20 laboratory-confirmed cases. All 20 have had mild ILI, with only one requiring brief hospitalisation. All 20 viruses appear to have the same genetic pattern, described as a new subtype of (A)H1N1 not previously detected in swine or humans.

The US reports that the number of confirmed cases has risen to 40.

Mexico reports 26 confirmed cases, including seven deaths.

It starts to spread: Canada reports six cases, and Spain reports one.

The WHO raises the alert level to phase4, meaning there is sustained human-to-human transmission, causing outbreaks.

Seven countries report 105 confirmed cases, including seven deaths.

The number of countries with confirmed cases rises to nine; the number of confirmed cases to 148; and the number of deaths to eight.

The first South Africa suspected cases are reported. One is a Western Cape woman who travelled extensively in Mexico during the month, and is ill with flu-like symptoms on her return. A general practitioner considered swine flu a possible diagnosis, but specimens were not stored properly and a laboratory assessment could not confirm the case.

The second case concerns a Gauteng woman who also returned from Mexico with a flu-like illness.

The WHO declares a phase 5 alert, meaning there is sustained transmission among people in at least two countries. Once the virus shows effective transmission in two different regions of the world a full pandemic outbreak will be declared.

The number of countries reporting confirmed cases rises to 11; and the total number of confirmed sufferers to 257.

Canada reports the identification of A (H1N1) virus in a swine herd in Alberta. It is probable the pigs were exposed to the virus from a farm worker recently returned from Mexico, who had exhibited flu-like symptoms. There is no indication of virus adaption through transfer from humans to pigs.

In SA a Cape Town man recently returned from Argentina is admitted to hospital after displaying H1N1 symptoms, and treated in isolation. Laboratory tests later come back negative.

In the first week of May, the number of countries affected rises to 24. They report a total of 2,371 confirmed cases, including 43 deaths.

In SA, a task team made up of representatives from various governments departments has been set up. The Gauteng health department deploys three nurses to OR Tambo International Airport, and installs two screening machines to identify H1N1 cases. The machines, which detect unusually high temperatures, are used internationally to screen large crowds.

In the last 10 days, the number of countries affected has risen from 25 to 39; the number of reported confirmed cases has gone from 2,500 to 8,480; and the number of deaths has jumped from 45 to 72.

Between them, Britain, France, Belgium and Finland order stockpiles of close to 120-million doses of a vaccine GlaxoSmithKline is developing against H1N1.

WHO Chief Ban Ki-Moon attends talks with the world's biggest pharmaceutical companies on the development of a vaccine. About 30 vaccine makers from 19 industrialised and developing countries are invited.

An extract of the WHO forecast presented to vaccine makers said it would be possible to produce 4.9 billion doses of a swine flu vaccine in a year if full production were launched.

According to a presentation made to drug companies, the UN health agency is counting on output of 94.3-million doses a week.

In the last 11 days, the number of countries affected has risen from 39 to 53; the number of confirmed cases has jumped from 8,829 to 15,510; and another 27 people have died, bringing the known toll since the start of the pandemic to 99 deaths.

June starts with 17,410 cases of H1N1 confirmed in 62 countries around the globe, and 115 deaths reported.

The WHO Director General raises the level of influenza pandemic alert from Phase 5 to Phase 6. The pandemic is now characterised globally as being moderate in severity.

South Africa's first confirmed case is detected: a 12-year-old who arrived in the country on a flight from the US.

Since the beginning of the month, the number of countries affected has risen from 62 to 76; the number of laboratory-confirmed cases of Influenza (A) H1N1 infection has gone from 17,410 to 25,928, and the death toll has risen from 115 to 163.

Sanofi-Aventis announces it will donate 100 million doses of vaccine. The WHO says it will work to ensure that the vaccine gets to groups who would otherwise have no access to pandemic vaccines.

The flu begins to bite in South Africa: there are now seven confirmed cases, of which three are linked to international travel.

Infectious disease experts say the strain of swine flu may be older than first suspected. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health release a paper describing H1N1's nearly century-long and intricate journey, which may include the accidental resurrection of an extinct strain.

As June draws to a close and July begins, the number of countries affected in the last month has nearly doubled, from 62 to 120. The number of confirmed cases has risen exponentially, from 17,410 to 77,201; and the total number of deaths has more than doubled, from 115 at the beginning of June to 322 today.

In SA, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) reports 11 cases of H1N1 in SA. To date there is no evidence of community transmission.

The numbers rise again: there are now 125 countries affected, 89,921 confirmed cases worldwide, and 382 reported deaths.

Number of cases confirmed in SA rises to 30.

In SA over 2,000 sportspeople are exposed to the virus at a University Sports South Africa (USSA) tournament held in Johannesburg.

A resistant form of the virus, which does not respond to the antiviral drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu), is reported. It was found in three patients who all recovered. This form of the virus is found to still be susceptible to the drug zanamivir. Subsequent research concluded that the instances of drug resistance appeared to be sporadic and contained.

SA swine flu cases rise to 47. Deputy Director of the NICD Lucinda Blumberg says all those identified and tested showed mild symptoms of the virus.

The Health Department says that once 100 SA cases have been confirmed, authorities will stop reporting individual laboratory results. Spokesperson Fidel Hadebe says it would no longer be important to monitor the level or nature of the risk posed by H1N1.

SA H1N1 cases rise to 75.

A top Johannesburg private school, St Stithians College, issues an alert after one of its pupils contracts the virus.

The WHO changes reporting requirements for the pandemic: while it still needs to know about countries’ first confirmed cases, it is being swamped by individual laboratory confirmed cases. It asks that where the pandemic is already established, initial virological assessment is followed by testing of at least 10 samples per week in order to confirm that disease activity is due to pandemic virus, and to monitor changes in the virus.

South Africa passes the 100 mark for recorded cases of swine flu. It stops the routine testing of suspected cases.

British airlines step up restrictions on suspected H1N1 cases. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic put in place measures to turn back passengers showing symptoms.

The NICD reports that schools affected by the virus will not be closed, and will be evaluated on a case by case basis. They advise that parents keep any child with respiratory symptoms away from school and not allow participation in sport.

The Egyptian health ministry warns the elderly, pregnant women, children and those suffering from chronic illness not to perform the hajj or omra pilgrimages.

Human vaccine trials begin at Australia's Royal Adelaide Hospital. Australia has pre-ordered 21-million shots of vaccine from CSL Biotherapies, enough to cover its entire population.

In the US, authorities report they are planning trials of two vaccines, one developed by CSL and a second from Sanofi Pasteur.

In China, the state news agency reports that Hualan Biological Engineering Inc has completed a swine flu vaccine and would test it on more than 2,000 volunteers. Officials say the vaccine could hit the market in September with production of up to 600,000 doses per day.

The WHO reports that in most countries the majority of cases are still occurring in youngsters aged 12 to 17 years (based on data from Canada, China, Japan, UK and the US).

The NICD says that SA will prioritise who receives swine flu vaccines. The WHO directives prioritise healthcare workers, pregnant women, people with obesity and other respiratory problems.

The WHO reports 134,503 cases of H1N1, including 816 deaths worldwide.

The WHO and SA discuss possible measures at 2010’s World Cup to protect football fans from swine flu.

Two private schools in Johannesburg close early for their mid-year holiday after confirmation of at least nine swine flu cases.

165 countries and overseas territories have reported 162,380 confirmed cases including 1,154 deaths worldwide.

A luxury cruise liner struck down with flu puts into Marseille, and local authorities ban the 3,600 passengers and crew from disembarking.

South Africa reports its first H1N1 death, a 22-year-old Stellenbosch University student.

A strain of swine flu that is resistant to treatment with the drug Tamiflu has been discovered near the US-Mexican border. Cases of resistant H1N1 have also been found in the US, Canada, Denmark, Hong Kong and Japan.

Roche, the manufacturer of Tamiflu, has said it expects a 0.5% rate of case resistance based on clinical trials. SA health workers are warned against over-prescribing Tamiflu.

A 44-year-old man from Phoenix, KwaZulu- Natal, becomes SA's second suspected swine flu death. The Health Department says, however, that due to insufficient specimen, death cannot conclusively be attributed to H1N1.

The WHO reports that H1N1 vaccine manufacturers are on track to start delivering the first batches in September. The UN body’s vaccine director, Marie-Paule Kieny, though insisting that speeding the vaccine to market will not compromise its safety, says WHO expects to see reports of side effects once the vaccine is given to millions of people.

More than 250 Grey learners are absent from school.

In SA four under-21 Lion rugby players are diagnosed. Beeld reports that several schools in Pretoria North have confirmed cases.

US health officials report that doctors cannot rely on rapid tests to diagnose pandemic H1N1 swine flu – three kits evaluated are found to miss many infections.

SA confirms its second swine flu death: a 15-year-old boy from Bloemfontein.

A total of 190 Western Cape schools report suspected swine flu cases.

The WHO reports 177,547 cases of H1N1, including 1,462 deaths worldwide.

SA confirms its third swine flu death: a 42-year-old man, Johann Hack, from the Strand.

The widow of a New York City school administrator who became the first person in the city to die of H1N1, plans to file a $40 million wrongful death lawsuit against the city. Bonnie Wiener accuses the city of failing to adequately control the outbreak and failing to inform her husband that he had come into contact with individuals who tested positive for H1N1.

SA swine flu death toll rises to five with the deaths of two pregnant women: a 27-year-old diabetic from the Eastern Cape, and a 23-year-old from Durban.

GlaxoSmithKline begins human trials of a vaccine. The company plans 16 such trials among more than 9,000 people in Europe, Canada and the US. Early results are expected to be available in September.

SA confirms its sixth swine flu death: a 64-year-old from the Western Cape who was diabetic and had hypertension. The total number of confirmed infections in the country now stands at 2,844.

The WHO reports over 182,166 cases, including 1,799 deaths, worldwide. It says northern hemisphere countries have ordered more than a billion doses of vaccine. Experts say there could be shortages, which would force governments preparing for a second wave of the flu to make hard choices about who to vaccinate first.

Health authorities including the WHO decide to extend the shelf life of Tamiflu by two years to fight the pandemic.

The SA Department of health launches a swine flu hotline to attend to public concern about the H1N1 virus.

SA confirms its seventh and eight swine flu deaths: 21-year-old Annique Pretorius from Pretoria, who died after going into respiratory distress; and a 38-year-old pregnant woman in her third trimester, who was also being treated for TB.

A KZN baby is delivered by Casesarean section about 10 weeks early in order to save him: his mother, Jessica Dunne, 23, is believed to have died from the virus just two days later.

South Africa swine flu deaths double: the NICD reports 5,118 confirmed cases and 18 deaths. Nine of the dead were pregnant women, most in their third trimester. Most of the cases were reported in Gauteng and the Western Cape.

A survey of 574 pandemic deaths from 28 countries reveals that more than half the fatalities have been among young adults; and that being diabetic or obese significantly boosts the risk of dying. Neither children nor the elderly are as vulnerable as initial reports indicated: only 12% of those who died were 60 or older.

The data also suggests that about six people die for every 1 000 infections, two or three times the rate of seasonal flu.

The South African health minister, Aaron Motsiaeledi says that SA has no choice but to develop its own H1N1 vaccine. SA is considered by experts to be unlikely to produce a vaccine any time soon.

SA Health Minister Aaron Motsiaeledi urges doctors to give pregnant women with serious flu symptoms Tamiflu, but warns that indiscriminate use would create a resistant strain. According to the minister, state hospitals and clinics have some 100 000 doses of Tamiflu in reserve.

The WHO reports over 209, 438 cases of H1N1, including at least 2, 185 deaths worldwide.

The WHO says doctors are reporting a severe form of swine flu that goes straight to the lungs, causing severe illness in otherwise healthy young people. Some countries report that as many as 15% of patients infected with the virus need hospital care.

The NICD reports 5, 841 confirmed cases and 27 deaths in SA.

The WHO reports over 254, 206 cases of H1N1, including at least 2, 837 deaths worldwide.

The NICD reports 7,606 cases and 31 deaths in SA.
Gauteng remains the province with the highest number of cases, while an increase was noted in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
Underlying conditions relating to the four new deaths include pregnancy, obesity, HIV positive and a 5-year-old who was apparently healthy.
In the majority of persons without underlying conditions the illness remains mild.

Chinese scientists report that a plant with a malodorous sap contains components that show great efficacy in killing off the H1N1 virus. The plant, Ferula assa-foetida commonly dubbed "Dung of the Devil", grows throughout Iran, Afghanistan and mainland China.

The researchers note that the plant was used in China against the influenza virus during the 1918 Spanish flu, but until now no one has confirmed that the plant has natural antiviral properties.

In their experiments the researchers identified a group of chemicals in the plant's extracts that appear to have a stronger potency against the H1N1 flu than a prescription antiviral medication already in use against the flu. The researchers say the compounds may serve as promising lead components for a new drug development against H1N1 viral infection.

The WHO reports over 277, 607 cases of H1N1, including at least 3,205 deaths worldwide.

The SABC reports that a KZN doctor has become the first medical practitioner to die of H1N1. Dr Irshad Moola died at a private hospital after a brief illness. The health department has confirmed that his death was a result of the virus.

The NICD reports 11,253 cases and 47 deaths in SA.
Of the people who died, 20 were pregnant women, five of whom were HIV positive. Underlying conditions identified for the 27 other people included obesity and diabetes followed by HIV/Aids and hypertension.
In the majority of persons without underlying conditions the illness remains mild.

The WHO reports over 296,471 cases of H1N1, including at least 3,486 deaths worldwide.

The U.S announces that they are prepared to make 10% of its H1N1 vaccine supply available through the WHO. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially licensed the 2009 H1N1 vaccine this week, after U.S. authorities announced last week that one dose would be effective in developing immunity in most adults.
The vaccine is expected to be available in the coming weeks.

The NICD reports 11,545 cases and 59 deaths in SA.

21 of the cases were in pregnant women, 14 of whom were HIV positive.

Obesity, diabetes, tuberculosis, heart disease and HIV were underlying conditions in the other deaths.

The WHO reports at least 318,925 cases of H1N1, including over 3,917 deaths worldwide.

The NICD reports 11,729 cases and 84 deaths in SA.

The WHO reports over 343,298 cases of H1N1, including at least 4,108 deaths worldwide.

To date there are 28 resistant H1N1 pandemic viruses which are resistant to the oseltamivir, but not to zanamivir.

The US announces implementation of a massive campaign to vaccinate millions of Americans against swine flu, with the first 600,000 doses to be distributed in coming days. The US ordered 979 million dollars worth of Fluviron H1N1 vaccine from Novaritis.

Spray vaccines will be the first to reach vaccination sites, one of the most vulnerable groups, pregnant women, will have to wait until later this month for the injection version.

UN officials warn that poor countries face "explosive outbreaks" of the global swine flu pandemic and need speedy financial assistance to access vaccines.

David Nabarro, UN senior influenza coordinator, said both manufacturers and rich countries were ready to make vaccines available for developing nations, but warned that the supply would still be inadequate.

The challenge during the next few weeks is to ensure that adequate vaccines reach health workers and essential personnel in developing countries in time to help them as the next waves of the pandemic reach them, said Nabarro.

Last week the WHO said pharmaceutical firms can produce only three billion doses of swine flu vaccines a year, covering less than half of the global population.

Nabarro also called for cash donations to help low-income countries prepare for the pandemic by raising awareness and improving their health services infrastructure.

The number of swine flu cases worldwide has jumped by at least 24,000 in two weeks to exceed 343,000, while deaths edged up to more than 4,100.

The increase in the number of deaths reported showed a marked slow-down from last month, when the WHO reported nearly 500 additional deaths from swine flu in the space of a week.

Many of the people who have died had underlying health conditions, and were also infected with other bacteria.

Pharmaceutical firms around the world have been racing to produce vaccines against the virus before the autumn flu season returns in the northern hemisphere.

Tests have shown that one dose of swine flu vaccine can quickly provide sufficient protection in most older children and adults, the vaccine is as safe as seasonal flu vaccines.

The NICD reports 12,278 cases and 91 deaths in SA, the number of cases is falling as the country moves into the warmer summer months.

Most diagnosed cases are in the 10 to 14 year age group.

The deaths were between the age groups of three and 70, with 59% female. Pregnant women accounted for the highest "underlying condition" with 25 mothers dying of the virus.

Those with HIV/Aids, or who were obese, accounted for the second most deaths with 16 in each category.

95% of the pregnant women were in their third trimester.

The Western Cape had the highest number of deaths at 39, followed by KwaZulu-Natal 21, and Eastern Cape 10.

The WHO reports over 378,223 cases of H1N1, including at least 4,525 deaths worldwide.

The NICD reports 12,331 cases and 91 deaths in SA.

SA Health Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi says government plans to order one million doses of swine flu vaccine from three manufacturers. The order would be divided equally between Sanofi-Pasteur, GlaxoSmithKline South Africa and Novartis South Africa.

Children under 10 may need two shots to be fully protected, says vaccine maker Sanofi Pasteur. The company tested two strengths of the vaccine, given as two shots 21 days apart. The vaccine was tested in 474 children ages six months through nine years old.

Sanofi reported that only half of children six months to three years old had enough protection after one shot of the higher strength vaccine, as did three-fourths of children three to nine years old. For adults, one shot of the higher strength vaccine appears to be enough.

A new study explains why older people have immunity to H1N1.

Pandemic H1N1 virus has parts found in earlier flu strains, and some people past age 60, who may have been exposed to similar viruses in their youth, may have some latent immune cells that protect them. Serious cases and deaths from swine flu have been in people under the age of 65

The findings indicate that human populations may have some level of existing immunity to the pandemic H1N1 influenza and may explain why the 2009 H1N1-related symptoms have been generally mild.

Cell-based immunity may be serving to weaken the effects of swine flu. The body makes cytotoxic T-cells, which secrete antiviral chemicals that kill infected cells and clear the virus from the body. These cells that may be offering protection.

Studies showed people born in 1918 or earlier had many antibodies against the new pandemic H1N1 and said it may more closely resemble its 1918 cousin.

The WHO reports over 399,232 cases of H1N1, including at least 4,735 deaths worldwide.

The WHO says, H1N1 pandemic influenza remains a cause for concern because of its unpredictable nature.

A statement from the UN health agency said that more than 4,735 deaths attributable to H1N1, known as swine flu, had been reported, and that influenza activity in the northern hemisphere was much higher than usual.

Health experts need to observe the behaviour of the virus during the traditional January-February peak of the influenza season in the northern hemisphere.

The disease continues to cause concern because it doesn't act exactly like seasonal influenza and because it doesn't affect the same groups who are affected by seasonal influenza.

Seasonal flu strains which can be serious for elderly people, H1N1 can turn dangerous for some people with existing health conditions or otherwise healthy young adults.

The NICD reports 12,378 cases and 91 deaths in SA.

The WHO reports over 414,945 cases and at least 4,999 deaths.

Iceland had its first swine flu death this week, Sudan and Trinidad and Tobago also reported deaths from the virus for the first time this week.

In the US, swine flu caused at least 95 children's deaths since April.

GlaxoSmithKline PLC said one dose was enough to boost children's immune systems to fight the virus, based on data from a trial in Spain in 200 children aged six months to 3 years.

The most commonly reported side effects in people who have received the vaccine are soreness where the injection was given and minor flu symptoms.

President Barack Obama declares swine flu a "national emergency," as the US reels from millions of cases of infection and over 1,000 deaths.

The emergency declaration, signed by the president, enhances the ability of medical treatment facilities to handle a spike in influenza A(H1N1) patients by allowing medical officials to temporarily bypass certain federal requirements.

As Americans wait for more shipments of vaccine, 46 of the 50 states now report widespread swine flu activity -- an unusually early uptick that ordinarily takes place in January or February at the peak of a normal flu season.

The WHO plans to distribute 200 million doses of swine flu vaccine to 100 developing countries.

WHO secretary-general Margaret Chan says shipments could begin next month.

The NICD reports 12,598 cases and 91 deaths in SA.

The WHO reports over 441,661 cases of H1N1, including at least 5,712 deaths worldwide.

The NICD reports 12,619 cases and 91 deaths in SA

The NICD recommended that South Africa include vaccines for swine flu in ordinary seasonal flu vaccines next year.

The institute made the recommendation to the national health department, who should decide on whether or not to include a vaccine for the N1H1 virus in seasonal influenza vaccines.

Should this be approved,the vaccines would be available early next year, before a possible second wave of swine flu hits the country in the winter season.

Vaccines would be distributed like normal seasonal flu vaccines. High risk groups such as pregnant women, people with underlying medical conditions, front line health workers, care givers to young children, children living in hostels and communal conditions, people living with HIV and the elderly would be targeted.

The WHO urges pregnant women and other people at high risk should be vaccinated against the H1N1 swine flu virus as the cold weather begins to bite in the northern hemisphere.

Health workers, pregnant women and people with conditions such as asthma are deemed at greatest risk and should be top priority for getting the shot .

Unlike seasonal flu, which is most dangerous to the elderly, H1N1 is hitting younger adults and children especially hard.

The WHO recommends a single vaccine dose for protecting adults against H1N1. Governments are urged to consider giving a single dose to as many children under age 10 as possible. More research is needed into child dosages.

In the US, studies show that children under the age of 9 will need two doses of the vaccine to be fully protected.

Countries from China to the US have rolled out vaccination campaigns and the rare side effects have been mild, in line with those caused by seasonal flu vaccines.

The WHO reports over 482,300 cases and at least 6,071 deaths worldwide.

The WHO reports that some pigs, turkeys and household pets have become infected with the H1N1 flu, but the pandemic virus does t yet appear to be spreading quickly among animals.

It is not clear how the isolated animals had contracted the flu virus.

A novel flu virus -- looking like a mix of human and swine genes -- has been detected in some mink farms in Denmark, and seems to have infected only the animals and not the farm workers in proximity to them.

These findings suggest that influenza A viruses in animals and humans increasingly behave like a pool of genes circulating among multiple hosts, and that the potential exists for novel influenza viruses to be generated in animals other than swine.

The agency recommended that farm workers be monitored for signs of respiratory illness and is calling for close collaboration between public health and veterinary authorities in countries were outbreaks are rife.

The WHO reports over 503,536 cases of H1N1, including at least 6,260 deaths worldwide.

The WHO reports over 526,060 cases of H1N1, including at least 6,770 deaths worldwide.

The WHO reports over 622,482 cases of H1N1, including at least 7,826 deaths worldwide.

More than half of the latest fatalities were reported by health authorities in the Americas region.

In the US transmission remains very active and geographically widespread. The disease has peaked in all regions.

In Canada, influenza activity remains similar but (the) number of hospitalisations and deaths is increasing.

Sweden, Norway, Moldova and Italy are reporting 'very high activity' and health care services are reeling under the strain in Albania and Moldova, it said. Flu has peaked in other European countries including Belgium, Ireland and Serbia.

Transmission is active in East Asia and it remains 'stably elevated' in Japan, but may be decreasing slightly in cities there.

Little pandemic flu activity has been reported in the southern hemisphere.

The WHO reports at least 8,768 deaths worldwide.

Dutch authorities report that a patient infected by a mutant strain of the swine flu virus had died.

The patient was already seriously ill and being treated for that. He was infected by the Mexican flu and developed a resistance to Tamiflu.

The Dutch ANP news agency said the man had died in hospital in the northern city of Groningen, adding that two more patients in the Netherlands had shown resistance to Tamiflu.

It is the fifth fatal case of mutated A(H1N1) flu in Europe, after two in France and two in Norway.

To date, no links between the small number of patients infected with the mutated virus have been found and the mutation does not appear to spread, said the WHO.

Scientists fear that mutations in flu viruses could cause more virulent and deadly pandemic flu. The global health watchdog reiterated a call for close monitoring.

The WHO reports at least 9,696 deaths worldwide.

The NICD reports 12,631 cases and 92 deaths in SA.

The WHO reports at least 10,582 deaths worldwide.

The WHO reports at least 11,516 deaths worldwide.

The WHO reports at least 12,220 deaths worldwide.

The WHO reports at least 12,799 deaths worldwide.

The WHO reports worldwide more than 208 countries have confirmed cases of H1N1 including at least 13,554 deaths worldwide.

The NICD reports 12,636 cases and 93 deaths in SA

The WHO reports worldwide more than 209 countries have confirmed cases of H1N1 including at least 14,142 deaths worldwide.

The WHO reports worldwide more than 209 countries have confirmed cases of H1N1 including at least 14,711 deaths worldwide.

The NICD reports 12,640 cases and 93 deaths in SA.

The WHO reports worldwide more than 209 countries have confirmed cases of H1N1 including at least 15,174 deaths worldwide.

The WHO reports worldwide more than 212 countries have confirmed cases of H1N1 including at least 15,292 deaths worldwide.

The WHO reports worldwide more than 212 countries have confirmed cases of H1N1 including at least 15,921 deaths worldwide.

The WHO reports worldwide more than 213 countries have confirmed cases of H1N1 including at least 16,226 deaths worldwide.

The WHO reports worldwide more than 213 countries have confirmed cases of H1N1 including at least 16,455 deaths worldwide.

The WHO reports worldwide more than 213 countries have confirmed cases of H1N1 including at least 16,713 deaths worldwide.

The WHO reports worldwide more than 213 countries have confirmed cases of H1N1 including at least 16,813 deaths worldwide.

The WHO reports worldwide more than 213 countries have confirmed cases of H1N1 including at least 17,483 deaths worldwide.

In SA health care workers and HIV+ children will be the first to benefit from a new program aimed at preventing the spread of the H1N1 virus in Gauteng. Until the end of the month, front line health workers and HIV+ children under the age of 15 are being immunised. During May, airport staff, pregnant women and patients with chronic lung and heart diseases would also qualify for immunisation. Vaccinations are free of charge at any public hospital or clinic.

The WHO reports worldwide more than 213 countries have confirmed cases of H1N1 including at least 17,700 deaths worldwide.

The SA health department reports that a nationwide vaccination campaign to immunise persons at high risk of catching the H1N1 virus this winter will be conducted in phases.

People who qualify for the vaccination are children under the age of 15 and adults living with HIV, front line workers at ports of entry, pregnant women and hospital staff, it said in a statement. Phase 2 will begin in May and applied to pregnant women, health workers and adults with HIV.

There are 200,000 doses at present children with HIV and Aids first as they are high at risk. More doses will be received in May.

People who are to be vaccinated are those who are at risk of severe diseases - not everyone needs to be vaccinated against the H1N1 virus.

The WHO reports worldwide more than 214 countries have confirmed cases of H1N1 including at least 17,798 deaths worldwide.

The WHO reports worldwide more than 214 countries have confirmed cases of H1N1 including at least 17,853 deaths worldwide.

The WHO reports worldwide more than 214 countries have confirmed cases of H1N1 including at least 17,919 deaths worldwide.

The WHO reports worldwide more than 214 countries have confirmed cases of H1N1 including at least 18,001 deaths worldwide.

Virologists warn the SA public ahead of the Soccer World Cup that the H1N1 virus could survive up to 48 hours outside the human body more than enough time to infect people. "The idea that H1N1 is a mild virus is wrong it is not mild; if it has killed people," read a statement.

As the soccer tournament will take place during winter, the Global Hygiene Council specifically highlighted the danger posed by the potential incidence of a third wave of the H1N1 flu virus.

According to research the virus "can remain infectious on various surfaces for a surprisingly long period of time". It remains contagious on cloth surfaces for an hour, and survives on stainless steel and plastic surfaces for up to 24 hours. On wooden surfaces, the virus can survive for up to 48 hours," said the council.

The first line of defence against the virus is regular hand-washing, particularly after touching phones, door handles and hand rails.

The WHO reports worldwide more than 214 countries have confirmed cases of H1N1 including at least 18,036 deaths worldwide.

The WHO reports worldwide more than 214 countries have confirmed cases of H1N1 including at least 18,097 deaths worldwide.

The WHO reports worldwide more than 214 countries have confirmed cases of H1N1 including at least 18,114 deaths worldwide.

The WHO reports worldwide more than 214 countries have confirmed cases of H1N1 including at least 18,138 deaths worldwide.

In SA the health department obtained 3.5 million doses of the H1N1 swine flu vaccine.

The department has asked the private sector to help with a nationwide immunisation campaign for high risk patients.

Those eligible to receive the vaccine are: pregnant women, patients with HIV and Aids who qualified for ARVs incl. children over 6 months, patients with chronic heart disease incl. children over 6 months and patients with chronic lung disease incl. children over 6 months.

Vaccinations would be available from Clicks and Link Pharmacy Clinics. Eligible high risk patients would need to bring proof that they were taking chronic medication or a referral letter from a doctor confirming their condition.

The cost of administering the vaccine is R25 (incl VAT) each.

The WHO reports worldwide more than 214 countries have confirmed cases of H1N1 including at least 18,156 deaths worldwide.

The H1N1 swine flu virus has been spreading quietly in pigs in Hong Kong and swapping genes with other viruses. This demonstrates the pandemic virus can easily go back to pigs.

Genetic analysis, suggests that the viruses found in pigs all came from humans. Researchers say it is not surprising because the pandemic virus emerged from pigs, so it is not surprising that it goes back to pigs. The pandemic virus in humans has been extremely stable. It hasn't changed ... but it seems that it can mix with other flu viruses (in a pig)."

Researchers emphasise that pork is dangerous to eat at all (if well cooked). It is important to carry out systematic surveillance in pigs so we know what is going on in pigs in regard to influenza viruses in general and the pandemic virus in particular.

Pigs are the reservoir of many human, bird and swine viruses and experts often refer to them as an ideal mixing vessel for new, and possibly more dangerous pathogens.

The WHO reports worldwide more than 214 countries have confirmed cases of H1N1 including at least 18,172 deaths worldwide.

The WHO reports worldwide more than 214 countries have confirmed cases of H1N1 including at least 18,209 deaths worldwide.

The NICD in SA reports that a pregnant Gauteng woman has contracted the H1N1 virus. The woman was in an undisclosed hospital and was in a good condition.

The NICD says, the public should not expect a pandemic like last year, when 93 people died from the flu in South Africa, as there were a number of different strains. There are a number of different strains, and one is just the H1N1 people need to use their opportunity to get vaccinations.

Not everyone was at risk of contracting this type of flu and therefore not everyone needed to be vaccinated against it. Those at risk included pregnant women, patients with chronic heart and lung diseases, and people with HIV and Aids. Community pharmacies will therefore make the vaccine available to these high risk patients at a nominal charge.

The WHO reports worldwide more than 214 countries have confirmed cases of H1N1 including at least 18,239 deaths worldwide.

The WHO reports worldwide more than 214 countries have confirmed cases of H1N1 including at least 18,311 deaths worldwide.

The WHO reports worldwide more than 214 countries have confirmed cases of H1N1 including at least 18,337 deaths worldwide.

The WHO reports worldwide more than 214 countries have confirmed cases of H1N1 including at least 18,366 deaths worldwide.

The WHO reports worldwide more than 214 countries have confirmed cases of H1N1 including at least 18,398 deaths worldwide.

The WHO reports worldwide more than 214 countries have confirmed cases of H1N1 including at least 18,449 deaths worldwide.