MALAYSIA may be in the post-pandemic phase of Covid-19, but another rapidly rising virus — Influenza A subtype H3N2 — is compelling us to go back to our good old preventive measures such as hand hygiene and masking up in public places.
According to Monash University molecular virologist Associate Professor Dr Vinod Balasubramaniam, who spoke to the New Straits Times on Monday, the virus has been prominent across parts of Asia in recent weeks.
Singapore, Cambodia and Vietnam are some of the Southeast Asian countries that have seen a surge in the virus.
The Malaysian surge of recent vintage reflects regional trends as the presence of the virus globally is from low to moderate level, in the view of the virologist.
According to a Bernama report that quoted the Health Ministry a fortnight ago, all states and federal territories have recorded rising cases, with the five highest being Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Johor and Kedah.
Most of the cases were reported in schools: kindergarten, primary, secondary and private schools. All in all, 97 influenza clusters were reported for the Epidemiological Week 40/2025.
There is no reason to panic though, as the Health Ministry says the increase in transmission reflects a seasonal trend, which remains under control.
Understandable assessment, given that influenza is a mild illness — common during dry and wet seasons — that usually resolves itself within a week, some doctors say.
But it can be serious for high-risk groups such as children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with chronic illnesses.
Preventive measures are key for such high-risk groups. One such measure is to get a flu jab. But why the surge?
To Vinod, it is largely due to post-pandemic social mixing, including increased travel, tourism and the return to full in-person schooling.
Here is a revision course as the doctor has ordered on how to curb the surge of the virus. But first, how it spreads.
H3N2, like Covid-19, spreads through the air at close range and via contaminated hands and surfaces.
Children, who generally have weaker immunity than adults, are efficient transmitters, meaning they allow for rapid surge of infection.
Here are some red-flag symptoms for children and adults, as highlighted by Vinod.
For children, they are fast or laboured breathing, bluish lips or face, chest pain, ribs pulling in with each breath, severe muscle pain, dehydration and persistent fever.
For adults, they include difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath, chest or abdominal pain, confusion, seizures, lack of urination, severe weakness or unsteadiness or symptoms that initially improve but then worsen.
Now for the how to. Stay home if unwell, wear a mask in crowded indoor settings during infection surges, ensure good ventilation and practise hand hygiene, is Vinod’s advice.
But some Malaysians love to throw caution to the wind and make people pay the price for their neglect. Harsh words, but true.
We saw this during the Covid-19 pandemic in public places such as malls and restaurants, and we are seeing it again during the Influenza A surge.
Experience is a good teacher, but when it comes to the recalcitrant, it, too, fails. To them we say this: don’t be fooled by flu-like illnesses.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
