Flu bug surge not related to Covid-19

Langalakhe Mabena

Bulawayo Province Medical Director, Dr Maphios Siamuchembu has encouraged residents not to panic in relation to the rising flu bug in the city, highlighting that it was not related to Covid-19.

There has been a rise of flu cases and suspected deaths in recent weeks, which were related to the cold, something which has caused panic amongst residents. Last month, the Ministry of Health and Child Care revealed that routine disease surveillance had shown an increase in flu-like illnesses since the beginning of the year. But after investigating, the ministry was confident that the illness was just the common cold virus.

Dr Siamuchembu said the surge in flu-like illnesses reported across Bulawayo and countrywide was a result of the common cold associated with the winter season, rather than a new or exotic bug.

“We are in the winter season and it means the weather will change from warm to cold. In such a case, we expect the rise of flu as the virus has always been related to coldness. This has happened before and it will happen in the future. The ministry acknowledged that there has been a rise of flu bug surge in the country and investigations have further proven that it’s a normal flu and not related to Covid- 19. This means citizens must not be worried,” said Dr Siamuchembu.

With the symptoms of the flu proving to be severe – which include fever, a heavy cough, a sore throat, stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, as well as fatigue, Dr Siamuchembu encouraged people to seek medication once they suspect that they have been attacked by the bug.

“If one suspects that they have the flu, they must seek assistance from experts. The council has clinics, which can be accessible to everyone. If you seem to have muscle pains and a strong headache, consultation is necessary because if you relax the flu can lead to pneumonia, so the earlier the treatment, the better.

“We also encourage people to live a healthy lifestyle, they must stay warm all the time by wearing warm clothes and using comfortable and clean blankets, drink warm fluids and take beverages, which are high in Vitamin C. Most importantly, running and exercising is important,” he said.

Influenza is an acute viral respiratory disease that is often characterised by fever, headache, sore throat and cough. The viruses can spread rapidly from person to person causing seasonal outbreaks that can result in significant illness.

With the onset of the winter season, many countries have been reporting similar cases of flu-like illnesses. Botswana’s Health Ministry recently reported that the surge of cases reported in that country had since subsided, a sign that if people take precaution, the flu can be contained.