THE recent outbreak of influenza at two boarding schools in Subang Jaya, Selangor and Ipoh, Perak is proof that we always need to be on guard against infectious diseases.
Now that Malaysia is in the endemic phase of the Covid-19 pandemic, with restrictions relaxed, cases of influenza are expected to rise as people move about freely and let their guard down, either by unmasking or failing to maintain strict hand hygiene.
In Perak, 35 influenza-like illness (ILI) outbreaks were recorded between January and July 2 this year, with 26 active clusters in the districts of Kinta, Kuala Kangsar, Hulu Perak, Batang Padang, Kampar, Muallim and Perak Tengah. Kinta recorded the highest number with six clusters.
KPJ Kluang Specialist Hospital, consultant paediatrician, Dr Tan Peng Ji says influenza (or flu) is an illness caused by the influenza virus which mainly affects the respiratory system.
It is known globally as "seasonal influenza" because it comes around in the coldest season twice a year (once during the Northern hemisphere's winter and another during the Southern hemisphere's winter).
Comparatively, influenza circulates all year-round in tropical and subtropical regions such as Malaysia.
This occasionally leads to cluster outbreaks, some of which can be major.
Unlike Covid-19, influenza may not always be thought of by most people as a serious illness –symptoms such as headache, runny nose, cough and muscle pain can make people confuse it with the common cold. Yet, influenza kills up to 650,000 people every year.
"The flu comes around every year, everywhere. The common cold rarely sends people to the hospital. However, as shown by the Covid-19 pandemic, respiratory diseases such as influenza hit senior citizens and children the most," says Dr Tan.
Each and every one of us has the chance of getting infected by influenza but what makes the difference is the severity of the case.
BE CAUTIOUS
Dr Tan says high risk groups such as young children, the elderly, pregnant ladies, those with chronic illnesses such as hypertension or diabetes and immunocompromised patients (those with low immune system and minimal ability to fight off infections and diseases) are likely to get badly infected.
"People with stronger immunity often suffer from milder symptoms and recover faster."
Dr Tan adds that similar to Covid-19, the influenza virus in general is highly contagious in nature. Its mode of transmission is through the spread of droplets of different sizes such as respiratory droplets (small droplets).
Droplet transmission occurs when a person is in in close contact (within 1 metre) of someone who has respiratory symptoms (such as coughing or sneezing) and is therefore at risk of having his/her mucosae (mouth and nose) or conjunctiva (eyes) exposed to potentially infective respiratory droplets.
"Vaccination against influenza is the single, most effective measure to prevent influenza infections and its potentially serious complications," says Dr Tan.
Vaccination is suitable for individuals above 6 months old and is recommended to be taken yearly as the contents of the influenza vaccine will change gradually based on the World Health Organisation's prediction of most possible influenza virus strains in the coming year.
Other than vaccination, personal hygiene plays an important role too. Frequent hand washing, constant usage of hand sanitisers, social distancing and proper cough etiquette help prevent respiratory illnesses and stop the spread of germs.
Dr Tan explains that parents of school going children should ensure that their schools and childcare facilities are kept clean, especially frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Parents should also ensure that their children have a good supply of tissues, soap, paper towels, alcohol-based hand rubs or disposable wipes when they are at school or out of the home so they can maintain good hand hygiene at all times.
UNDERSTANDING INFLUENZA
OUR immune system is designed to protect our body from "outside invaders" in the form of bacteria, viruses, fungi and toxins. When our immune system is compromised, it can be deadly.
Viruses, by nature, are constantly mutating, essentially putting on ever-changing "disguises" to evade our immune system. The same goes for influenza.
Symptoms
*Fever
*Cough
*Runny nose
*Sore throat
*Headache
*Body ache
*Breathlessness,
*Diarrhoea and vomiting.
The severity of these symptoms varies, largely depending on the person's immunity.
HISTORY OF THE SPANISH FLU
THIS year marks the 104th anniversary of one of the most catastrophic public health crises in modern history – the 1918 influenza pandemic or sometimes called the "Spanish Flu".
This devastating pandemic spread extensively, worldwide between 1918-1919.
It's estimated that around one-third of the world's population became infected with this virus with an estimated 50 million deaths worldwide.
Most of those who died were either very young (less than 5 years old), those in the 20-40 age group or those 65 years and older.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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