Selangor: No deaths due to influenza have been reported in Selangor from 2024 until Epidemiological Week (EW) 43/2025, which ended on October 25. State Public Health and Environment Committee chairman, Jamaliah Jamaludin, stated that 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.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Jamaliah explained that 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. She emphasized that from 2024 up to ME 43/2025, no deaths have been confirmed as due to influenza during the State Legislative Assembly sitting.

Jamaliah was responding to a question from Chua Wei Kiat (PH-Rawang) regarding the number of influenza cases and related deaths recorded in Selangor. She further mentioned that JKNS had reported over 3,000 influenza cases, involving 268 clusters during the same period, with 70 percent of these clusters linked to institutions, particularly educational settings.

While influenza is not classified as a notifiable disease under the 1988 Infectious Diseases Prevention and Control Act, Jamaliah highlighted the state government’s proactive influenza immunisation programme, which provides vaccines to children under eight years old in Gombak, Petaling, Hulu Langat, and Klang.

Jamaliah also noted that the state government is enhancing 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 implemented an influenza immunisation programme for ministry staff and senior citizens aged 60 and above, especially for 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, with these vaccines available for free at 82 government health facilities statewide.