SELANGOR RECORDS ZERO INFLUENZA DEATHS THROUGH EW 43/2025 - STATE EXCO

SHAH ALAM, Nov 18 (Bernama) -- No deaths due to influenza have been reported in Selangor from 2024 until Epidemiological Week (EW) 43/2025, which ended on Oct 25.

State Public Health and Environment Committee chairman, Jamaliah Jamaludin, said while the Selangor Health Department (JKNS) had received reports of deaths suspected to be related to influenza during a recent surge in cases, determining the exact cause of death requires an autopsy.

“For cases where no autopsy is conducted, a thorough assessment, including clinical history and discussions at the Mortality Committee, is needed to confirm the true cause of death.

“From 2024 up to ME 43/2025, no deaths have been confirmed as due to influenza," she said during the State Legislative Assembly sitting here today.

Jamaliah was responding to a question from Chua Wei Kiat (PH-Rawang) regarding the number of influenza cases and related deaths recorded in Selangor.

Jamaliah further said that JKNS had reported over 3,000 influenza cases, involving 268 clusters during the same period, adding that 70 per cent of these clusters were linked to institutions, particularly educational settings.

While influenza is not a notifiable disease under the 1988 Infectious Diseases Prevention and Control Act, Jamaliah highlighted that the state government has proactively implemented an influenza immunisation programme, providing vaccines to children under eight years old in Gombak, Petaling, Hulu Langat, and Klang.

Jamaliah added that the state government is ramping up public awareness and advocacy programmes through Community Service Centres (PKM) to promote effective healthcare practices and prevent the spread of influenza.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has also rolled out an influenza immunisation programme for ministry staff and senior citizens aged 60 and above, particularly those with chronic conditions such as diabetes, respiratory diseases, heart disease, obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, or chronic kidney disease.

"To date, 37,000 vaccine doses have been allocated for the Influenza Immunisation Programme for the Elderly in Selangor. These vaccines are available for free at 82 government health facilities statewide," she said. 

-- BERNAMA