According to a Monday statement by the South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, the country faces the likelihood of a health catastrophe in case of a swine flu outbreak during this year’s soccer World Cup.

With South Africa hosting the month-long World Cup for the first time – and the event likely to attract as many as 450,000 tourists – during the country’s winter, Motsoaledi told the Parliament: “One of our biggest nightmares is the fact that 2010 World Cup is going to be held in June when there is a possibility of another bout of H1N1.”

About the precautionary measures being taken by the government, Motsoaledi elaborated that the Health Department will receive 3.5 million H1N1 vaccine doses from the World Health Organization (WHO) - over and above the
1.3 million doses that the country has acquired from elsewhere – thereby saving the country at least 250 million rand.

Saying that the WHO donations of the vaccine is expected to arrive in the country by March, the Minister also added that the WHO is constantly in touch with the South African government officials so as to minimize the swine flu risk during the soccer World Cup.

Adding further, Motsoaledi said that vaccinations would commence soon, “…starting with pregnant women, people at entry points, people who are involved in sports administration.”