22-year-old Stellenbosch student , Ruan Muller, with no underlying health problems, dies of swine flu - first in South Africa

SHOOT: And so it [the realisation] begins.

clipped from www.sowetan.co.za Health authorities have announced the death of an otherwise healthy student who tested positive for swine flu, the first death due to the virus in the country. Spokesperson for the Department of Health Fidel Hadebe said yesterday: “He died on the 28th (of July), but there had to be some testing to ensure the cause of death. It was the H1N1 influenza.” South Africa’s swine flu caseload has increased fourfold in two months, with 480 confirmed cases as of Friday. The first case in the country was reported on June 14. Western Cape health MEC Theuns Botha said the death was “unusual” as the 22-year-old student , named as Ruan Muller, had no underlying health problems. A student at Stellenbosch University near Cape Town, Muller fell ill on July 20 and went to a campus clinic for treatment. His condition did not improve and he then saw a general practitioner. Botha said the Western Cape has 42 confirmed cases of the illness.