Namibia is experiencing an upsurge in the cases of H1N1 influenza with 54 confirmed cases out of a total of 190 suspected countrywide, the Health and Social Service Ministry revealed.
“The cases were reported mainly from Otjozondjupa Region (24 out of 37 suspected cases), Khomas Region (24 out of 138 suspected cases), and Kavango East Region (6 out of 15 suspected cases). The cases were reported from July 2022 to date, of which some had been investigated for COVID-19, but tested negative,” said Health Executive Director Ben Nangombe on Wednesday.
Nangombe said the ministry is on high alert as it continues with surveillance activities across the country. “The Ministry underscores that there is no H1N1 or Swine Flu outbreak in Namibia, but rather an increase in seasonal Influenza A H1N1 cases, and this is expected,” he said, while appealing for calm.
The ministry says the fact that we are in the flu season, it is expected that there will be more cases of flu and people should also note that this is a self-limiting disease in most cases, meaning it will resolve by itself.
The health ED therefore urges people exhibiting signs and symptoms of the disease to have bed rest, take plenty of fluids and manage fever and cough with over-the-counter medication. And seek medical attention only if you have a severe flu-like illness or if you develop difficulty in breathing. If infected, limit contact with others to prevent the spread of the infection.
“The public is urged to remain calm and comply with the control measures put in place in order to contain and prevent further transmission. There is no need for panic, as this is not a new subtype of the flu strain,” he reiterated.
Namibia experienced a large-scale H1N1 outbreak in 2009-2010, where over 8,000 suspected cases were reported, out of which 102 cases tested positive. One death was reported. The highest burden of epidemiologically linked cases was experienced in the northern regions of Ohangwena and Omusati regions, as well as //Kharas Region thereafter.
Since then, sporadic upsurge of cases have been reported especially in 2018 to 2019, and of recent, from August 2022 to present date. It is worth noting that this seasonal influenza is not a new flu virus, and equally important to note that there is no need for panic.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), H1N1 influenza is a viral acute respiratory infection in humans, often characterised by fever, headache myalgia and other flu-like symptoms. H1N1 is clinically indistinguishable from other viral respiratory infections and can only be laboratory confirmed. Sporadic seasonal transmission has been encountered globally, including in Namibia.
