Influenza is spreading rapidly across the country. The situation has become so concerning that several educational institutions have begun conducting home-based teaching and learning sessions following outbreaks among their students.
A viral video on social media shows a pharmacist working in a hospital sharing the reality of the overcrowded emergency department (ED), which has been flooded with patients, mostly children, showing influenza symptoms, recently.
Through a TikTok video, Fatin Nasuha Azizi urged the public to wear face masks to prevent the spread of influenza.
“Wherever you are right now, please wear a mask. Please, please, please. We’re going crazy here today. The ED is super crowded. Most of the patients coming in are parents bringing their kids and almost all of them have influenza. So please, wear your mask, okay?,” she said.
Fatin said the sudden surge in cases had prompted the hospital pharmacy to increase its stock of the antiviral medication Tamiflu to meet the rising demand.
She said the number of patients shot up unexpectedly, with many parents rushing their children to seek immediate treatment.
“Today we had to restock a huge amount of Tamiflu. Almost every patient who came in brought their child to the ED and nearly all of them tested positive for influenza,” she said.
According to the Health Ministry, influenza or seasonal flu is not a mild illness. It can cause serious complications such as pneumonia, seizures and in some cases, death, particularly among young children, the elderly and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Influenza spreads easily through respiratory droplets when an infected person sneezes or coughs, making public spaces such as schools, shopping malls and public transport high-risk areas for transmission.
Fatin stressed that preventive measures remain the most effective way to curb the spread of the virus.
Among her recommendations were wearing masks in public areas, washing hands frequently with soap or sanitizer, maintaining physical distance and covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing using tissues or handkerchiefs.
She also encouraged annual influenza vaccination, especially before flu season.
"The influenza vaccine should be taken every year because the virus undergoes gradual genetic changes, making previous vaccines less effective against new variants.
"It takes about two weeks for the body to build immunity after the shot, as the vaccine helps the immune system produce antibodies that can identify and attack the influenza virus if exposed,” she added.
While the influenza vaccine doesn’t guarantee complete protection, she said it helps reduce the risk of severe infection, prevents hospital admissions and most importantly, lowers the risk of death from flu-related complications.
“Protect your loved ones. Don’t wait until your child ends up in the emergency department before taking action,” she said, reminding the public not to take the illness lightly.
Influenza is a viral respiratory infection that causes fever, cold and cough and can seriously affect high-risk groups such as children, the elderly and pregnant women.
The Health Ministry advises those showing symptoms to rest at home, cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, avoid sharing personal items and seek medical attention if symptoms persist.
Common symptoms of influenza include fever, runny nose and cough.