Debra Matabvu
The severe influenza (flu) that has swept across the country over the past three weeks has claimed a life while 400 000 cases have been reported, officials in the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare have revealed.

However, Government said there is no need to panic as the flu is seasonal and not related to the deadly H1N1 virus. The director of Epidemiology and Disease Control in the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, Dr Portia Manangazira, said: “We would like to emphasise that this flu is seasonal and common . . . The only difference this year is that it is a bit more severe than in previous years.

“This strain usually affects the older generation, pregnant women and those suffering from HIV and Aids. We would like to urge the nation to quickly seek medical attention when they suffer from flu and make use of the antibiotics that are readily available in pharmacies across the country.”

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, Brigadier-General Dr Gerald Gwinji, urged those affected by the respiratory illness not to raise alarm bells because the flu is expected during this time of the year. “It is the normal seasonal flu similar to the normal flu. It is expected during this time of the year,” he said.

“There is no need to be alarmed by the severe aches or symptoms. It is caused by changing seasons, thus a seasonal flu,” he said.
Dr Gwinji said one should wash his or her hands before handling food. Those suffering from the flu should also eat vegetables and fruit as well as drink lots of water.
Over the past few weeks, many Zimbabweans have been attacked by the flu.