South Africa's first swine flu victim is expected to make a full recovery after being nursed in isolation at his home in Gauteng.

A 12-year-old American boy who flew into the country from Atlanta on Sunday was diagnosed with the H1N1 virus on Thursday.

He was discharged from a Pretoria hospital on Wednesday.

He arrived at OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday and was admitted to hospital the next day after displaying flu-like symptoms.

Authorities are still tracing some of the passengers he may have come into close contact with the youngster. Some of his family members have also been treated with anti-retrovirals.

However, the Health Department has once again re-iterated that there is no need to panic.

Instead the National Institute of Communicable Diseases' Barry Schoub says there are some preventative measures to keep in mind.

"[You] should cover your mouth when you cough and you sneeze, practice good hand hygiene, wash frequently," says Schoub.

Swine flu has already claimed more than 160 lives worldwide, with tens of thousands of infected people.