Call for extra precautions: Malaysia remains free from avian flu following tight biosecurity control and strict prevention measures. However, the public is advised to remain cautious.
PETALING JAYA: Although no avian influenza cases have been detected in the country, the Health Minister is not taking any chances and wants Malaysians to observe precautionary measures.
Calling for extra precautions especially while travelling abroad, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the ministry (MOH) was working with the Veterinary Services Department (DVS) to monitor livestock farms, wild birds population and wet markets to prevent risks of infection locally.
“Malaysia remains free from avian flu following tight biosecurity control and strict prevention measures. MOH will continue to monitor global developments and potential spread of the zoonotic (virus) so that immediate prevention and control measures can be implemented to protect public health in Malaysia,” he told The Star.
Dr Dzulkefly advised the public especially those travelling to flu-ridden nations like Japan to maintain hygiene, observe cough etiquette and avoid crowded places. Citing news reports on the drastic surge of influenza cases in Japan, he said as of the end of December over a million people there have received treatment for influenza-like symptoms.
However, he said based on latest data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), there were no human transmission avian influenza cases reported in Japan.
“As of now, the rise in influenza cases there is linked to climate change. To date, there is no travel restriction issued by WHO in relation to this situation,” the minister added.
In Malaysia, as of the end of January, the consultation rate for Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) at health clinics was at 4.67%, lower than the 5.81% recorded in the previous week.
Over the same period, admissions for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) at hospitals also dropped by 0.16% to 7.26%.
According to data from Japan’s National Institute of Infectious Diseases released on Jan 31, around 9.523 million flu cases were reported in the country between Sept 2, 2024 and Jan 26, 2025.
Japan is also experiencing a surge in avian influenza outbreak, with about five million chickens and other birds culled in January.
The Japanese Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry cautioned that the outbreak showed no signs of abating and that the situation may worsen to potentially record levels.
Avian flu, also known as bird flu, has also been reported in the United States, affecting humans too. Four viruses – Covid-19, seasonal influenza (the flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and norovirus – have created what experts are calling a “quad-demic” in the United States.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) cautioned that avian influenza posed a growing threat, with potential to adapt to humans and trigger future pandemics.
“Global developments demand that we stay alert and make sure Europe is prepared to respond to the threat of avian influenza,” said ECDC director Pamela Rendi-Wagner.
A United Nations health agency has estimated that over 300 million species of birds have died worldwide and that the avian flu was detected in 108 countries across five continents.
Dr Madhur Dhingra of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation revealed that more than 500 bird species were infected along with at least 70 mammalian species.
