The teenager’s mother confirmed her son had been quarantined at home after succumbing to the illness two weeks ago.

Because of the stigma associated with the disease, she did not want her name used.

However, she said he had apparently picked up the flu after attending a wedding but had shown no signs in the next week during which he played football.

After receiving confirmation from a family doctor, the boy received an injection of an anti-viral drug and was given antibiotics to prevent secondary infections developing.

The teenager’s mother said health staff were shocked by the number of people attending clinics in the Albany area and openly coughing over everyone without the proper protection.