H1N1 Is Still Prevalent In M’sia: What You Can Do To Prevent It From Spreading
Despite being close to 10 years since its first outbreak, the swine flu is still here as 8 children in Sabah in December 2019 tested positive for Influenza A (H1N1).
Aged between 1 and 12, the children were infected in the span of two weeks and are reported to be stable.
Please be careful people and take good care of your kids always. #H1N1 #Health @kk12fm @KKCity @SabahInfo pic.twitter.com/nu0GLkjlnj
— Sabah Maju Jaya (@sabahmajujaya) December 29, 2019
Sabah’s Health Department said they have taken necessary control measures to prevent the spread of the infection.
In the same month, two navy officers were also infected in Perak when both officers returned to base after their vacation in Johor but the Royal Malaysian Navy said the case is under control.
Also, more than 100 school children including a teacher fell ill because of the influenza in Perak in the last month of 2019.
What is H1N1 and how did it come about 10 years ago?
What happened previously
The first outbreak started in March 2009 in Mexico as hundreds of cases of human respiratory illness were reported and they were suspected or confirmed to be caused by a novel swine-type influenza virus.
Malaysia’s first victim was recorded just two months later in May 2009 when a young student who returned from the United States deÂveloped a fever and was hospitalised.
As a way to combat the spread, schools were closed and the government was on high alert.
After the first wave of H1N1 influenza in Malaysia, 14,912 cases were reported from May 2009 until Jun 2010 and a total number of 88 deaths were recorded across the country in 2010.
Causes and symptoms
H1N1 is a subtype of influenza A virus, and causes respiratory tract infections. Patients often exhibit symptoms such as nasal secretions, chills, fever, decreased appetite, among others.
It’s a common infection in pigs worldwide, hence the name – swine flu, but despite its namesake, you can’t catch swine flu from eating pork-based products such as bacon, ham, etc.
It’s same influenza that caused the deadly pandemic known as the Spanish flu that infected 500 million and killed 50 to 100 million (which was 3% to 5% of the worldwide population at the time).
Who are at risk?
The only people who really need to be tested are those in the hospital or those at high risk for life-threatening problems from swine flu, such as:
Children younger than 5 years old, adults older than age 65, people with compromised immune systems due to diseases such as AIDS or those suffering from chronic diseases such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, or neuromuscular diseases.
Mereka yang berisiko tinggi mendapat komplikasi akibat jangkitan virus Influenza.
— KKMPutrajaya (@KKMPutrajaya) December 30, 2019
Mereka dinasihatkan mengambil suntikan vaksin yang disediakan di kebanyakan fasiliti kesihatan swasta dengan kadar bayaran tertentu. pic.twitter.com/HphvvTLoCr
How to prevent it from spreading?
Jabatan Penerangan Sabah has listed prevention methods to curb the spread of the virus:
- These include distancing yourself from those who might have symptoms such as coughing or sneezing
- Thoroughly washing your hands with waters and soap or alcohol-based disinfectants,
- Avoid touching the mouth, nose and eyes,
- Get vaccinated
- Use masks
- Informing loved ones if you think you’re infected reducing interaction with people on the outside.
8 Kes Influenza A (H1N1) dikesan dalam kalangan kanak-kanak dilaporkan sejak 15 Disember hingga kelmarin di Sabah.
— Jabatan Penerangan Sabah (@JapenSabah) December 30, 2019
Kes melibatkan kanak-kanak berumur 1-12 tahun.
Amalkan mencuci tangan dengan sabun dan menggunakan hand sanitizer terutama pada kanak-kanak. pic.twitter.com/9eslrNtynL
Although authorities said that the situation is under control, we can still do out bit to prevent outbreaks from happening, as the saying goes, prevention is better than cure.
Do you think that the influenza can be contained? Let us know on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
