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Showing posts with label virus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label virus. Show all posts

Monday, 11 November 2024

Keeping the virus at bay; Beware the influenza bug, Get the flu vax to stay active again, Protect your workforce during flu season, businesses urged

 

Stay safe and alert: People wearing face masks to protect themselves in George Town. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star

Keeping the virus at bay

The monsoon season may bring an increase in influenza cases, even in tropical Malaysia. Get vaccinated to avoid contracting the highly contagious virus, say health experts. Business operators, meanwhile, want a safe workplace and to allow flexible options for their staff.

GEORGE TOWN: While the influenza virus tends to thrive during the colder months in countries with four seasons, tropical nations like Malaysia could still face a potential outbreak, says a virologist with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).

“Increased rainfall towards the end of the year, particularly in several states across Malaysia recently, often correlates with a rise in influenza cases,” said Dr Kumitaa Theva Das.

With the influenza virus constantly evolving, she noted that medical experts have recommended annual vaccinations to protect against the latest virus strains.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends people take the flu jab once every year, in February for those living in the Northern Hemisphere and in September for people in the Southern Hemisphere.

Dr Kumitaa said a common misconception is that influenza, often referred to as the “flu”, is no different from the common cold.

“In reality, influenza is a far more severe respiratory infection that can be life-threatening, especially for the high-risk groups.

“While cold symptoms are usually mild, influenza presents with more intense symptoms, including fever, severe muscle aches and extreme fatigue.

“In some serious cases, individuals may even experience chest pain, shortness of breath and loss of consciousness,” said Dr Kumitaa.

The Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (Informm) senior lecturer added that some people are particularly susceptible to contracting influenza.

Young children, the elderly, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions and those with weakened immune systems are all considered to be in the high-risk group, she noted.

“Because their immune systems are either still developing or less resilient, these individuals are at a higher risk of experiencing severe complications from the virus,” she explained.

She also said that influenza is highly contagious, especially during the initial stages when the symptoms begin to show.

An infected person can spread the virus through droplets released when they cough or sneeze, making close-contact environments such as schools and public transportation a prime setting for transmission, she added.

Public health specialist Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh said influenza could cause pneumonia, adding that pneumonia is one of the leading causes of deaths in the country, especially among women and the elderly.

“Hence vaccinations against influenza are very important, especially among the high-risk groups such as the elderly, young children, disabled, homeless and immune-compromised people like diabetics and cancer patients.

“It could be dangerous for those in the high-risk categories because it could lead to lung complications,” she said.

Dr Sharifa Ezat also urged the government to increase allocations for flu vaccinations, given that they may be costly for the low-income groups.

USM family medicine specialist Dr Mastura Mohd Sopian said certain groups of people, including health workers and infants younger than six months, are at greater risk of developing severe symptoms and complications.

She, too, reminded the public that vaccination is one of the most effective measures against influenza.

There are other simple practices that can help reduce the risk of infection.

“Wash your hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the chance of infection.

“Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth as the virus can enter the body through these areas.

“Wear a mask in crowded places or if you are experiencing symptoms. Try to limit contact with individuals who are symptomatic to minimise exposure,” advised Dr Mastura.

Beware the influenza bug

GEORGE TOWN: Achoo! It’s the flu season, and the virus is making its rounds looking for new carriers during this monsoon season.With cases of influenza A or B on the rise, experts are warning of an outbreak as the virus is highly contagious and prone to spreading during the cold climate.

The common symptoms are high fever, body aches, cough or flu, and nobody is safe from the virus unless one is vaccinated.

ALSO READ: Get the flu vax to stay active again

Civil servant K. Charles, 38, was out for lunch when he suddenly felt extremely tired and had shortness of breath.“The feeling was like I got hit by a truck and could not continue riding my bike,” he said.

Charles stopped by the roadside to call his father, who then rushed over and sent him to the hospital.

“I was in bed for five days with a high fever and body aches.

“My test result came back positive for influenza A, which the doctors say is highly infectious and more severe than influenza B.“I was given antiviral drugs for the next few days. I lost my appetite and the doctor put me on intravenous (IV) drips.”

Charles said that after he recovered, he promptly went to take a flu jab.

ALSO READ: Protect your workforce during flu season, businesses urged

Jessie Lim, a clerk, 43, said she accompanied her son Jason Lee, 23, to a private clinic after he complained about feeling feverish and having body aches.

“At first, I thought he was merely having a fever, but to my surprise, his test showed that he had contracted influenza A.

“He was prescribed antibiotics and paracetamols and told to rest and take more fluids,” she said.

As the disease is highly contagious, Lim said everyone in her family wore masks to contain the spread of the virus and kept her son isolated.

Her anxiety did not end there, as Lim’s 76-year-old mother, who lives with them, also came down with fever, flu and cough.

“I was so worried, thinking that the virus had spread among our family members.

“Luckily, my mother later tested negative for influenza A or B. Both of them recovered after a few days.

“A week later, I took both my son and my mum to a clinic to get the flu vaccines for a whole year’s protection,” she said, adding that she herself had gotten vaccinated against the flu earlier.

Imran Hilmy, who works in the media, was not ready to put his eight-year-old daughter’s life on the line again after she recovered from Covid-19.

“When Maryam and her mother contracted Covid-19 during the pandemic, it was really painful for me to see both of them suffer through it.

“With the influenza season raging now, I did not think twice about getting my daughter vaccinated.

“She needs a boost to her immune system, especially during these colder months when both the flu virus and other respiratory illnesses tend to rise,” he said.

General practitoner Dr BS Goh said people of any age can catch the influenza virus.

The viruses that circulate widely in humans are the influenza A subtypes H1N1 and H3N2, along with influenza B, he said.

“Annual vaccination is recommended as this is the primary and most effective way to prevent influenza and influenza-related complications.”

Dr Goh also advised holidaymakers planning to travel to places with colder climates to get the flu jabs before leaving to avoid falling sick later.

Penang health committee chairman Danial Gooi said staying vaccinated will not only protect individuals but also help safeguard the vulnerable folk within the community.

“Parents, too, should be attentive and refrain from sending their children to daycare centres, kindergartens or schools if they are ill,” he added.

Gooi revealed that the cumulative number of influenza clusters in Penang rose to 27 by epidemic week (EW) 41 this year, up from 21 during the same period last year.However, he said the consultation rate for influenza-like illness (ILI) in EW 41 this year had seen a slight decrease from 8.4% in 2023 to 5.4% this year.

“Although the number of cases per influenza outbreak has shown a significant decline with no serious cases detected in any of the outbreaks, the public still needs to be vigilant about their health and seek immediate treatment if they feel unwell,” he said.

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Related stories:

Get the flu vax to stay active again

Protect your workforce during flu season, businesses urged

Thursday, 4 July 2024

Remember, Covid-19 is still around


 GEORGE TOWN: With the recent surge in Covid-19 cases, Malaysians have been advised to stay vigilant and take all precautionary measures to contain the spread of the virus.

Penang health committee chairman Daniel Gooi said despite the uptrend in cases since the end of last year due to the holidays, the situation was still under control.

“People should wear face masks in crowded areas and wash their hands regularly. These are basic precautionary measures that we should adopt. We must also closely monitor the health of all our family members,” he added.

Gooi said there were no plans to implement extra measures during the long weekend despite the potential increase of domestic tourists arriving in Penang this week. 

There were 47 new cases reported in Penang on June 28 with active cases at 312 as of June 29. Out of this, 305 people were placed under home quarantine with seven being hospitalised.

Penang Hospital infectious disease unit head Datuk Dr Chow Ting Soo shared four important steps to keep Covid-19 at bay.

“In view of the waning immunity post-vaccine, the elderly and high-risk group should continue to wear masks, regularly sanitise their hands and avoid closed-space gatherings as much as possible.

“Secondly, this group should get tested immediately if they show Covid-19 symptoms, and get the antiviral as soon as possible.

“Thirdly, family members of the patients should also take a test and self-isolate if unwell to prevent the spread of the disease.

“Lastly, home isolation is still necessary, as well as wearing face masks for one week. If you need to go out, wear a face mask in public if you have cough or flu symptoms. Consult a doctor if your condition worsens,” she said.Dr Chow said these four steps also applied to food handlers and workers at restaurants.

Meanwhile, hawkers at the Paya Terubong market food court said they have been wearing masks since the early days of the pandemic until now.

“I also regularly use sanitiser and always wear a face mask when preparing food for my customers,” said sar hor fun seller Janice Cheah, 52.

Roti canai seller Karim Bukhari, 45, said he wears a face mask once he starts preparing the food.

“I come in direct contact with the dough, so hygiene is important. I want my customers to feel comfortable eating at my stall,” he added.

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Wednesday, 13 September 2023

US Virus-hunting programme shut down due to pandemic fear

 

US shuts controversial $125 mn wildlife virus hunting ...




The idea behind the US virus-hunting programme was to prevent a pandemic, but after Covid-19 emerged, the fear of it accidentally triggering one instead became too real to ignore. — Freepik

For more than a decade, the US government has been funding international programmes engaged in identifying exotic wildlife viruses that might someday infect humans.

But The BMJ revealed on Sept 7 (2023) that a flagship project for hunting viruses among wildlife in South-East Asia, Africa and Latin America to prevent human outbreaks and pandemics is being quietly dropped by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) after private and bipartisan criticism over the safety of such research.

The shuttering of the project marks an abrupt retreat by the US government from wildlife virus-hunting – an activity that has also been funded by the US Department of Defense and the US National Institutes of Health, reports investigative journalist David Willman.

Risk of a pandemic

The turnabout follows warnings raised by sceptics, including officials within the Biden White House, that the US$125mil (RM584.5mil) DEEP VZN programme could inadvertently ignite a pandemic.

The misgivings continue to resonate now, as the cause of the Covid-19 pandemic – the world’s most deadly such event in a century – remains unproven.

USAID – an arm of the US State Department – launched DEEP VZN (short for Discovery & Exploration of Emerging Pathogens – Viral Zoonoses) in October 2021, succeeding an earlier, decade-long USAID programme called PREDICT, explains Willman.

The agency promoted it as “a critical next step to understand and address the risks posed by zoonotic diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans”, and said it would help the world “be better prepared to detect, prevent and respond to future biological threats”.

But in July (2023), officials at USAID quietly informed aides to Democratic and Republican members of two US Senate committees with jurisdiction over DEEP VZN that it was being shut down.

This previously-unpublicised decision comes as concerns have heightened over the many risks of working with exotic viruses, including unresolved questions about whether a research mishap or a naturally-occurring spillover of virus from an animal species to humans caused the Covid-19 pandemic.

For instance, in December 2021, two senior White House officials specialising in biosecurity and biosafety – Jason Matheny, deputy assistant to US President Joe Biden for technology and national security, and Daniel Gastfriend, the US National Security Council’s director for biodefence and pandemic preparedness – first privately shared their views with USAID Administrator Samantha Power and advised her to shut down DEEP VZN.

Later, another White House official, Dr T. Gregory McKelvey Jr, a physician and the assistant director for biosecurity with the US Office of Science and Technology Policy, also privately raised concerns with USAID staff.

Power eventually told Matheny and Gastfriend that she would initiate a review of the programme to ensure DEEP VZN could be conducted in a way that adequately managed the risks.

On Sept 6 (2023), USAID said in response to questions from The BMJ, that it had decided to “end the DEEP VZN” project.

The decision, said USAID, reflected “the relative risks and impact of our programming”.

Audit to be done

Matheny, who left the White House in mid-2022 told The BMJ: “It seems likely that the agency assessed that the risks exceeded the benefits of the programme.”

Willman also notes that in May (2023), three leaders of the Republican-controlled US House Energy and Commerce Committee asked the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) to open a scientific audit to “assess the benefits and risks of conducting predictive field research programmes for viruses”.

The US GAO’s acting chief scientist Dr Karen L. Howard estimated in an email to The BMJ that the audit would likely be completed during spring 2024, but declined to discuss any preliminary findings.

Meanwhile, USAID’s funding of the DEEP VZN programme has continued to draw scrutiny behind the scenes from members and staff with both the US Senate Foreign Relations and Senate Appropriations committees, interviews and documents show, writes Willman.

The exchanges between the US Senate and USAID culminated with a brief mention of the previously-unreported termination of DEEP VZN inside the State Department’s fiscal year 2024 appropriation, dated July 20 (2023): “The Committee notes the decision by USAID to cease funding for the exploration of unknown pathogens.”

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