PETALING JAYA: Hospitals in the country have seen a noticeable rise in patients seeking treatment for bird flu-like symptoms over October and November, say medical practitioners.
However, there have been no cases of H5N5 avian influenza in Malaysia, a Health Ministry official has confirmed.
Influenza A, which is a form of bird flu, and Influenza B, which afflicts only humans, are both common in Malaysia.
Public health medicine specialist Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar said the threat of H5N5 avian flu, caused by a strain of Influenza A, was always present in this region.
“There is always an increase in flu cases in November and December,” he added.
Dr Zainal Ariffin said simple prevention measures should always be practised.
“Wear a mask if you are in a crowded place or feel unwell. Wash your hands regularly. Stay home if you have flu symptoms.
“In Malaysia, flu is often seen as a normal part of life. But when cases spike in schools, it needs to be taken seriously,” he said.
General practitioner and clinic owner Dr Zafrina Burukan said, in October, many patients were arriving with fever, flu-like symptoms and body aches, prompting doctors to perform swab tests after discussing recent travel history and other risk factors.
Patients tended to come in with temperatures as high as 39°C.
Many were first seen in other clinics and were started on antibiotics, but their symptoms did not improve, she said, pointing to the incubation period of viral infections.
Dr Zafrina emphasised the importance of correct treatment as bacterial infections typically respond within three days, whereas viral infections – such as influenza – do not improve with antibiotics.
According to her, not all patients opt for swab tests, yet a common trend has emerged: many test positive for Influenza A, while there have been fewer cases of Influenza B.
She also said some over-the-counter test kits may be unreliable due to improper use, stressing that medical-grade nasal swabs for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other microbes remain the standard.
Preventive measures, she said, remain crucial.
“In malls and other public places, basic hand hygiene helps break the cycle of transmission. Also, wear masks in public places,” said Dr Zafrina.
Government health clinics too have reported an increase in patients with fever, cough and flu-like symptoms over the past two months, raising concerns about a possible spike in influenza or bird flu-like infections.
According to one government doctor in Kuala Lumpur, the number of patients with such symptoms has risen noticeably, although not all are tested.
“We don’t swab everyone because test kits are expensive and supplies are limited,” he said.
He confirmed that government clinics experienced a significant rise in cases in October.
“It was at least double the usual number. In my clinic, that means about 80 patients a day,” he said.
The numbers appeared to have decreased in November.
He also confirmed that government health clinics (Klinik Kesihatan) in Selangor do not carry influenza swab kits.
In early November, a man in Washington state was confirmed to be infected with the H5N5 avian influenza virus.
The patient, an older adult with underlying conditions, died on Nov 21. It was the first reported human infection with an H5N5 influenza virus.
