11% decline in influenza cases in 2024
The number of influenza cases in Malaysia declined by 11% in 2024, with 30,403 cases recorded compared to 34,173 in 2023.
Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said influenza-related deaths also saw a significant 68% decline from 54 in 2023 to 17 last year.
“Our data showed that the positivity rate for influenza viruses in samples ranged between 5% and 25%, with case spikes typically occurring early in the year before tapering off towards the end,” he said in a written parliamentary reply.
He was responding to a question from Cha Kee Chin (PH-Rasah) on the current status of influenza cases in Malaysia and the measures being taken to address the issue, including vaccination programmes for high-risk groups.
Despite influenza not being a notifiable disease under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988, the ministry said it continuously monitors infection trends through clinical and laboratory sentinel surveillance.
This involves tracking influenza-like illness (ILI) in the community and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) among hospital patients, said Dzulkefly.
To curb the spread of influenza and ease the strain on healthcare facilities, the ministry has strengthened surveillance, raised public awareness, and encouraged preventive measures such as handwashing, proper cough and sneeze etiquette, mask-wearing when symptomatic, and avoiding crowded places when unwell.
He also urged high-risk groups to get vaccinated, stating that from 2025, senior citizens aged 60 and above with at least one comorbidity will be eligible for free influenza vaccinations at selected government health facilities.
The vaccine will also be available at private healthcare facilities on a paid basis, he said.
In February, the ministry said its voluntary influenza vaccination initiative is expected to benefit more than 170,000 high-risk seniors, and builds on an existing programme that has provided influenza vaccines to frontline healthcare workers since 2006.
Category: MJN enews
