SAMA urges caution as flu cases surge and new COVID-19 variant emerges
With flu season in full swing, health professionals are advising South Africans to be more cautious due to an increase in flu cases and the appearance of NB. 1.8.1.
NB 1.8.1 is an unusual Covid-19 Omicron subvariant that is spreading rapidly in numerous countries.
Speaking in an interview with Newzroom Afrika about the matter, Dr Vusumuzi Mzukwa, chairperson of the South African Medical Association (SAMA), clarified that although there's yet no official call to reinstate masks, precautions are still crucial.
'We have not yet made a call for wearing of masks but what we are doing is cautioning South African's that there's a new variant,' he said.
Furthermore, Mzukwa added that the virus still exists in endemic form even if it is no longer dominant.
'It is in existence, but in very low numbers.'
According to Mzukwa the World Health Organisation (WHO) has designated NB. 1.8.1 as a variant currently under observation globally as variants continue to evolve.
'We're looking at its spread, its severity, but it's early days. There's nothing to worry about at the moment,' he clarified.
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He described the common symptoms of contemporary infections as follows: 'You get a sore throat, headaches, fatigue, muscle pains. Some gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhoea and vomiting.'
Read more | Brace yourself | South African Weather Services issues warning on cold front this weekend
He concluded by reminding the public that masks are not just for COVID but for precautionary measures of infectious flu.
'Masks were not only meant for COVID. They were also meant for the flu, if you've got flu symptoms, you protect other people in the workplace and the community.'
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