The Northern Cape Department of Health (NCDOH) is embarking on a Blitz Awareness Campaign on Influenza A/H1N1-Swine flu on Wednesday 19 August 2009. The campaign will be run simultaneously in the Siyanda, Namaqua, John Taolo Gaetsewe and Pixley-Ka-Seme Districts respectfully. The Frances Baard District was covered during the first week of August 2009 with the same campaign.
Activities as part of the campaign will include Health education at schools in collaboration with the following partners namely the Department of Education, SRAC, Medi-Clinic, Red Cross and SANDF(South-African Defense Force). Health promotion material will also be provided to the mentioned stakeholders to disseminate at their respective institutions.
Furthermore, Health education sessions will be done at primary healthcare facilities (PHC), Community radio interviews, distribution of fact sheets at shopping centres and taxi ranks, placement of fact sheet in local newspapers, door-to-door distribution of pamphlets in communities. Continuation of health education activities at sub-districts will be done.
The Northern Cape Department of Health urges all members of the public to immediately consult a doctor or visit a health care facility to obtain medical care and medication if any of the following symptoms are experienced.
Children:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
- Fever with a rash
Adults:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
Enquiries:
Andrid F. Scholtz
Ministerial Spokesperson
Tel : 053 830 2000
Cell: 0824479696
Fax: 053 8331925
E-mail : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Issued by: Ministry of Health
Northern Cape Province
18 August 2009