GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - A highly contagious virus has hundreds of CX residents in its clutches with many patients reporting the worst bout they have ever experienced.
While doctors, patients, pharmacists and other emergency workers in Plettenberg Bay and Knysna are reporting an influx of people presenting symptoms ranging from fever and respiratory issues to body aches and congestion, it seems to not be isolated to the area.
It has even caught the attention of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).
The NICD has a surveillance system which monitors the circulation of respiratory viruses throughout the country and has now reported that it is currently in a peak season of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and that influenza virus infections were also starting to increase.
The RSV virus causes illness mainly in young children, but also contributes to respiratory illness in older individuals.
"Influenza virus season usually follows RSV, and we are starting to see an increase in cases," the NICD said in a statement.
District spokesperson for the Western Cape Health Department Nadia Ferreira confirmed the increase locally and said that RSV is highly contagious and spreads mainly through respiratory droplets. She added that it is also the most common cause of bronchiolitis and lower respiratory infections in patients.
A Knysna-Plett Herald snap survey among Plett and Knysna residents revealed that most patients experienced the worst flu symptoms they had ever experienced. About 20 locals reported symptoms including severe body pain, difficulty breathing, continuous coughing and extreme fatigue.
One patient, Boniswa Zwayena, said she had never been this sick. "It was so bad that I didn't shower for two days, because I felt too dizzy and weak to get out of bed," Zwayena said.
Another said she became delirious with fever and had such difficulty breathing that she had to use a nebuliser to find some relief. "I actually phoned loved ones panicking that I wouldn't survive the night," she said. Another patient said it knocked her entire family and that it was still spreading through schools.
She reported that symptoms included high fever, body aches, respiratory issues and that recovery was not quick.
Plett and Knysna general practitioners also reported a significant increase in patients presenting severe flu symptoms.
"We are responding to an increase in patients having respiratory issues after coming down with the flu," Plettenberg Bay First Responders spokesperson Otto Olivier said.
Knysna-Plett Herald contacted various pharmacies in Plett and Knysna, that all reported an increase in patients requesting flu medication. Knysna's Central Pharmacy reported that they ran out of nebulisers last week to hire out to patients who had difficulty breathing.
National Health Department spokesperson Foster Mohale said that while Covid-19 continues to circulate at low levels, most current cases are either RSV or influenza.
"It can be confused by some people, with Covid-19 or SARS-CoV-2 due to common symptoms. While most diseases caused by influenza, RSV and SARS-CoV-2 viruses are mild, these viruses may cause severe illness and even death among the citizens around the country, particularly in individuals with conditions placing them at high risk of severe disease," Foster said.
He said it is important that people always cover their nose and mouth when they cough or sneeze, and when they are sick, that they stay home, don't touch their face with unwashed hands; and avoid close contact with others.
He further said common symptoms of the flu, a respiratory virus, are runny nose, decrease in appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever, and wheezing, among others.
People infected with influenza are usually contagious for three to eight days. Preventative measures such as wearing of masks and social distancing are recommended, especially for those who are ill.
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