PETALING JAYA: Travelling to Japan is still safe despite the influenza outbreak there but precautions must be taken, say health experts and tour operators.
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) medical epidemiologist Assoc Prof Dr Malina Osman said precautions enforced during the Covid-19 pandemic, such as wearing masks and frequent washing and sanitising of hands, should be observed.
She said the mode of transmission for influenza was quite similar to Covid-19.
“It is also advisable for travellers to be vaccinated against pneumonia, take high doses of vitamin C, drink plenty of water and have adequate rest,” she said.
Assoc Prof Malina said in countries with four weather seasons, winter was usually the time when influenza spreads.
The Health Ministry had said in a statement on Feb 7 that there was no rising trend of influenza cases or reported cases of avian influenza in humans in Malaysia.
Despite foreign media reports of a sudden increase in influenza cases, the ministry cited data from the World Health Organization (WHO) for the Western Pacific region, which indicates a declining trend.
The Western Pacific region, one of WHO’s six regions, consists of 37 member countries and territories, including Japan and China.
Consultant clinical microbiologist Prof Dr Zamberi Sekawi said before heading to Japan, travellers should get an influenza jab, and observe other precautions such as wearing a mask.
Symptoms of influenza included high fever, cough, muscle and joint aches, as well as fatigue, he said.
He said travellers who experienced such symptoms should get a medical diagnosis and if tested positive for influenza, antiviral medications can be prescribed for treatment.
Dr Zamberi said symptoms could vary depending on the individual, from high fever to pneumonia.
High-risk groups included the elderly with comorbidities, children and pregnant women who were more susceptible to severe influenza, and cautioned that severe influenza could lead to pneumonia which can be fatal.
Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) president Nigel Wong said so far, there was no adverse effect on the number of Malaysians traveling to Japan.
He said tour operators have not received any travel advisory from the Health Ministry on the matter.
“But travelers are well advised to take precautions,” he said, adding that they should get a flu vaccination and buy travel insurance too.
A tour leader who wishes to be known as Lin said more enquiries were being received about travel concerns to Japan, especially after news broke that a famous actress died from influenza there.
"All our tours to Japan are continuing as usual for now. We still have tours to Japan every month,” she said, adding that a tour group just returned from a trip there last week.
Lin said tour groups were advised to wear masks, bring hand sanitisers and take vaccines before travelling to Japan.
She said the Japanese were also travelling within Japan as usual.
"If there is any travel advisory, we will inform our customers immediately,” she said.
The Health Ministry has also advised the public to follow preventive measures such as frequent handwashing with soap and water or hand sanitiser, covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and wearing face masks for high-risk individuals and those with symptoms.
The ministry recommends annual influenza vaccinations and urges individuals to seek medical attention at government or private health facilities if they experience prolonged fever, cough or flu-like symptoms.
