More people in Malaysia infected with dengue and flu

March 13, 2015

Clinics and medical centres around the country are reporting a rise in the number of patients suffering from flu and dengue.

The Health Ministry says the increase in those seeking treatment for respiratory tract infections (RTIs) such as flu and cough is an annual occurrence.

A survey of clinics by The Star showed that the number of RTI patients shot up by at least 50 % in the last month.

“Every time there is a change in the weather, similar to what is happening now, when there is a shifts from hot sunny weather to heavy rain, there will be a sudden spike in the number of people falling sick,” general practitioner Dr R. Chandravathana said.

“This is how the body reacts to the rapid shift in temperature but it will settle eventually,” she said.

She added that at present at least half of the patients at her clinic had either fever, flu, sore throat or all of it.

“The best way for the people to keep themselves from falling ill was to drink plenty of fluids and get enough rest.

“It would also be good if they avoid getting caught in the rain, because that often weakens one’s immune system,” she said.

Assistant health officer in the Alam Damai 1 Malaysia clinic, Muhammad Hariz Ahmad, also reported a rise in the number of patients coming in with RTI.

“The clinic gets an average of 30 patients a day coming in with cough, cold and fever symptoms,” he said.

Kelana Jaya Medical Centre customer service assistant Zita Marzila said that in addition to those coming in with RTI, there has also been an increase in the number of dengue cases.

“We believe the change in weather may be the reason for more people contracting dengue,” she added.

Clinics in Penang, Pahang and Johor Baru also reported an increase in the number of patients coming in with cold, fever and dengue.

Meteorological Department spokesman Dr Hisham Mohd Anip said the country was at the end of the north-east monsoon season, which started from last November.

“During this season, we have heavy rainfall, particularly on the east coast of the peninsula and western Sarawak,” he said.

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