South Africa's first case of the H1N1 influenza or swine flu was confirmed on Thursday, the national health department said.

Spokesman Fidel Hadebe said the patient, a 12-year-old child, arrived in South Africa from the United States on Sunday.

The child presented flu-like symptoms and was admitted to a private hospital on Monday morning.

'Kept in isolation and discharged'

Hadebe said the results of laboratory tests confirmed the case in the early hours of Thursday.

"The patient was kept in isolation and discharged after a few days in hospital. He is well and recovering in isolation at home," he said.

"All contacts have been followed up and given necessary advice and treatment."

More details were not immediately available.

Swine flu has reportedly claimed 165 lives around the world so far.

The global number of confirmed cases has topped 37 000 cases in 78 countries.

Last week, the World Health Organisation declared the outbreak a pandemic.