Health Dept ready for flu season

The health department is prepared for this winter's spate of viruses, including swine flu.

"The department would like to re-assure the public that it is well-geared to respond to the influenza situation in this country, including H1N1," spokesman Fidel Hadebe said in a statement.

The A(H1N1) virus, commonly known as "swine flu", appeared for the first time in 2009, causing a global influenza pandemic. It now circulates with other seasonal viruses.

Hadebe asked the public to take basic hygiene precautions against contracting flu viruses, including regular hand washing with soap, sneezing into tissues, avoiding contact with sick people and staying at home when developing influenza-like symptoms, to avoid infecting others.

(Sapa, June 2011)

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Swine flu A - Z