Three more swine flu cases detected in South Africa

Three more cases of swine flu have been detected in South Africa, bringing the total number of cases to seven, health officials said.

Pretoria, June 30 (IANS) Three more cases of swine flu have been detected in South Africa, bringing the total number of cases to seven, health officials said.

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The three affected people recently returned from Britain and the US. The patients were tested positive for swine flu, health department spokesperson Fidel Hadebe told BuaNews on Monday.

He added that all the seven swine flu patients in the country were recovering well.

The department has appealed to the people not to panic.

"The fact that cases are detected and results made available within a short space of time is indicative of the country's preparedness and ability to respond to the H1N1 pandemic (swine flu)," Hadebe said.

The department has put various measures in place to ensure the virus does not spread and the country's airports are on high alert to detect people with swine flu symptoms, he said.

The World Health Organisation has raised its swine flu alert to the highest level, declaring its first global influenza pandemic in 40 years.