SA swine flu deaths at 91

Ninety-one people have died from swine flu in South Africa but the number of cases is falling as the country moves into the warmer summer months, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) said on Wednesday.

It also recorded 12 278 cases from samples it was sent and those sent to private laboratories with most diagnosed cases in the 10 to 14 year age group.

NICD spokeswoman Nombuso Shabalala said as seasons changed and people panicked less, the numbers of people going for tests had dropped.

"Not so many people are going for testing. Because there is more information and knowledge, people are not really panicking," she said.

More than half deaths are women
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.

Ninety-five percent 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. – (Sapa, October 2009)

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