JOHANNESBURG, Sept 15, 2009 (AFP) - Swine flu has now killed nearly 50 people in South Africa while 11,253 cases of the virus have been recorded, nearly double the figure of two weeks ago, health authorities said on Tuesday.
The death toll from A(H1N1) now stands at 47, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases said, a sharp rise on the 27 deaths which were registered as of September 1 by which time 5,841 cases had been reported.
"Of the 47 fatal cases to date, 20 were pregnant women, five of whom were HIV positive," said Nombuso Shabalala, a spokeswoman for institute.
Obesity, diabetes, hypertension and HIV were underlying conditions in the other deaths.
"In the majority of persons without any underlying conditions the illness remains mild and self-limiting," Shabalala added.
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