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South Africa, preparations against H1N1 flue

South Africa will host the football World Cup in full southern winter, a period conducive to epidemics of influenza, there are fears of a return of the virus H1N1 in the country.

A possible massive spread of this new virus during the competition, is “one of the worst nightmares” the health minister, Aaron Motsoaledi said.

This is the cold period of the year in South Africa, with night temperatures close to zero degrees on the high plateaus, where the Johannesburg, Pretoria and Bloemfontein are. Last year, influenza H1N1 has benefited from the rigors of southern winter to propagate in the country, affecting over 12,000 people and making almost 100 dead.

Aware of risk, members of Local Organizing Committee (LOC) said they are prepared during a medical seminar held recently at Sun City, to “paresis in case”.

“We provided everything and we are confident that we will react if they make an issue of public health or medical emergency,” said Victor Ramathesele, responsible for health problems again. Moreover, during the World Cup of military medical services will be requisitioned to support structures support the country – from the hyper-sophisticated private clinics at public hospitals packed and poorly equipped.

As one of the International Federation of Football (FIFA) has asked the 32 teams selected to vaccinate against the virus.

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Scandal in South Africa on the mascot Zakumi

The largest South African trade union federation (COSATU) has denounced the fact that the official mascots of the 2010 World football championship, leopard Zakumi, is produced by a Chinese company the exploit workers, in agreement with FIFA, and not in South Africa, a country with a unemployment rate of 25 percent.

”Trade Union Federation insists that all its members and all Africans to buy products related to CM in 2010 only from South African producers.