Pretoria - The Department of Health has said it will be closely monitoring the possible spread of H1N1 influenza, or swine flu, among learners as schools re-open on Monday.
In a statement, the department said that National and Provincial Outbreak Response Teams will be monitoring and assisting schools in the event of any cluster outbreaks and they will be working closely with the Department of Basic Education as far as sharing of awareness and information is concerned.
This comes as a number of school children have been confirmed with swine flu. The number of cases in South Africa has surpassed the 100 mark.
However, the department said that almost all the confirmed cases so far have been mild cases that did not require any anti-viral treatment or hospitalisation.
The department urged parents not to panic and reminded that that the country is in the middle of the flu season.
However, any learner who has flu-like symptoms should stay at home for a number of days to speed the recovery process, consulting a doctor and use a tissue when coughing.
