Flu surge puts Penang on alert as authorities urge residents to stay vigilant

GEORGE TOWN – Penang is one of the worst hit for influenza-like illness (ILI) cases in Malaysia, the state government revealed.

State health committee chairman Daniel Gooi said that while influenza is not as severe as Covid-19, it still requires close monitoring.

“Parents need to be vigilant and check on their children’s health. If they are unwell, take them to see a doctor.

“For those feeling unwell, wearing a mask is strongly recommended,” he told reporters at a health event at Universiti Sains Malaysia on Oct 12.

Selangor has the highest number of clusters with 43, followed by Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya (15), Penang (10), Johor (nine) and Kedah (five).

Calling for good personal hygiene to be maintained, Mr Gooi said covering one’s mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and avoiding crowded places when ill, could help curb the spread of the virus.

He said, although there was a slight decline in influenza clusters in Penang in 2025, the health authorities remained alert to ensure things were kept under control.

Based on data from epide­mio­logical week 40 (2025), Mr Gooi said Penang recorded 18 influenza clusters from the start of the year, compared with 19 clusters over the same period in 2024.

Mr Gooi added that surveillance from early August to mid-September showed clinic visits for ILI cases holding steady at about 9.5 per cent to 10.5 per cent, while laboratory tests returned 26.7 per cent to 28.9 per cent positives, with Influenza A as the dominant strain.

“During the same period last year, the positive rate was between 35.6 per cent and 51.1 per cent. We have also seen 52.4 per cent fewer respiratory clusters compared with 2024,” he said.

Mr Gooi cautioned that cases typically rise towards the end of the year.

“We expect a similar spike, so continued vigilance is important. Wash your hands often with soap or use hand sanitiser, practise good cough etiquette and wear a mask in crowded indoor places,” he said.

“These small steps protect you and those around you.”

Mr Gooi also encouraged vaccination, saying that flu shots are available at no charge at government health facilities for those aged 60 and above with at least one chronic illness.

“Vaccination is especially important for high-risk groups and those with diabetes, heart disease or lung problems,” he said.

Mr Gooi said influenza A, currently the main strain in Penang, is a flu virus known for mutating rapidly and triggering seasonal outbreaks worldwide. It spreads mainly through droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks, and can survive on surfaces for several hours.

Symptoms typically appear within one to four days of exposure and include fever, chills, sore throat, muscle aches and fatigue.

While most healthy adults recover within a week, the illness can cause serious complications such as pneumonia among the elderly, young children and those with weakened immune systems. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK