By Norhayati Umor
SHAH ALAM, Jan 16 — The public has been advised to take precautionary steps following the spread of influenza A virus in the country, said state Health, Welfare, Women Empowerment and Family Committee chairman Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud.
She said although no deaths have been recorded so far, the public should practise good hygiene especially by wearing masks and avoiding crowded areas to prevent the spread of seasonal influenza.
"The public has been advised not to panic in this situation as the state government and relevant agencies are continuously monitoring the trend of the disease," she told a press conference today.
As of today, 330 cases relating to the disease have been recorded, in which 237 cases were identified as influenza A.
However, the State Education Department reported that only 0.06 per cent cases were suspected as influenza A, involving 548 cases out of 909,443 pupils in Selangor.
The number of cases is also low compared to the same time period in 2018 and 2019.
