Experts warn of flu-related deaths if prevention not taken

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia could face twin life-threatening diseases of Covid-19 and influenza, say health experts who sounded the call for widespread flu vaccination.

With the recent rise of flu cases in the community and expected new wave of Covid-19 in the upcoming months, flu prevention is crucial, said the Malaysian Influenza Working Group (MIWG) – a multidisciplinary team of health experts.

Otherwise, the country may face dual risk from two potentially life-threatening infectious diseases as currently evident in Australia, which is battling its first serious influenza outbreak since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Over the last two years, the Covid-19 preventive measures have reduced our exposure to infectious diseases but as the pandemic and associated social restrictions ease globally, we are starting to see a rise in many common infectious diseases such as influenza, also known as the flu.

“What seems to be concerning is the speed at which infectious diseases such as hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) and flu are returning into our community ever since Malaysia entered the transition to the endemic phase beginning April 1, 2022,” said the MIWG in a statement yesterday.

Other factors that favour the spread of infection are importation of flu cases through international travel, easing of Covid-19 standard operating procedures and complacency towards social restrictions, it said.

There have been confirmed cases of influenza and influenza-like illness (ILI) clusters in several schools around the country recently and while the Health Ministry’s prompt actions had been commendable, the situation remains worrisome, said the MIWG.

The MIWG is also particularly concerned with the low population immunity due to lack of exposure to influenza over the last two years and the low flu vaccination uptake in Malaysia.

“This makes the population more susceptible to catching the flu and high-risk groups are at risk of severe, prolonged and even fatal disease.

“While the Covid-19 SOP must be maintained to prevent the flu, the World Health Organisation (WHO) encourages annual flu vaccination,” said the MIWG.

The experts said unlike temperate countries, influenza occurs throughout the year in Malaysia.

Flu can also be severe and fatal, especially among high-risk groups such as young children, older persons, pregnant women, those with comorbidities and also immunocompromised individuals.

“One serious complication of the flu that will require hospitalisation is pneumonia that results from either flu infection or co-infection of the flu virus and bacteria.

“The flu can also lead to sepsis which is a life-threatening response to infection that can rapidly progress to organ failure and death,” aid the MIWG.

Additionally, damage to the cells in the lungs caused by the influenza virus and respiratory insufficiency results in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), said the experts.

“According to the United States Centers for Disease Control, up to 85% of flu-related deaths have been occurring among people aged 65 years and older,” it said.

According to the WHO, the flu shot, and Covid-19 vaccination can be given together during the same visit, added the MIWG.

Flu can also cause a heart attack, with studies showing that flu illness is associated with an increase in heart attacks and stroke.

“The flu shot protects your heart. It reduces the risk of major cardiovascular events by 36%,” it said.

The MIWG added that the flu can also be dangerous for diabetics, as it can make it harder for patients to control their blood sugar levels.

“In fact, studies have shown that diabetics are six times more likely to be hospitalised with flu complications.

“The annual flu shot reduces the risk of heart failure by 22%, stroke by 30%, heart attack by 19% and pneumonia by 15% in diabetics,” said the MIWG.

It also said that getting the flu shot will protect pregnant women and their unborn child.