Thailand is seeing a major surge in influenza infections, with 9 confirmed deaths as of the time of writing (February 20). Thailand’s Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin said that 7,819 cases of influenza were reported in the country this year as of January 25.
By February 15, just 21 days later, the number rose to 99,057
As of yesterday (February 19), the number has reached 107,570, reported The Nation and VN Express.
The ministry also said that H1N1 is the main virus strain active in Thailand at present, these are the top 10 provinces that are worst hit by influenza:
- Hayao
- Lamphun
- Chiang Rai
- Phuket
- Chiang Mai
- Lampang
- Bangkok
- Nan
- Ratchathani and Nonthaburi
- Ubon
Schools, prisons, and military camps reported the highest number of infections
Nakhon Ratchasima, Surin, Buri Ram, and Chaiyaphum were the worst affected, with about 6,938 patients. Somsak also called on people showing flu-like symptoms to stay home to prevent spreading the virus. Health officials have also been speeding up the supply of vaccines to sensitive groups, particularly children and senior citizens.
New patients have increased by about 15,000 per week, compared to 10,000 per week during the same period in 2024.
Anyone with chronic diseases such as asthma or diabetes, pregnant women, and children are at high risk of the virus and are more likely to develop severe symptoms.
Yong Poovorawan, a virologist at the Chulalongkorn University Faculty of Medicine, posted an advisory on Facebook on February 9 saying that travellers to countries in the northern hemisphere should get a flu shot at least two weeks before going abroad.
In another Facebook post, Yong also said there is no specific treatment for the said influenza, and patients will be treated according to symptoms.
“Influenza is seasonal. It spreads in the cold season in the northern and southern hemispheres,” Yong said.
Some flu shots out of stock but don’t panic, says Malaysia’s health minister
There is no need to panic as Malaysia’s health ministry has an adequate supply of flu vaccines in its healthcare facilities, says Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad.
The health minister said that although the country has run out of some types of flu vaccine, the new stock is expected to arrive by March.
Speaking to The Star on Feb 9, Dr Dzulkefly said this situation was confirmed by the pharmaceutical and healthcare companies handling flu vaccines in Malaysia.
“There was a high uptake globally. They informed me that they have run out of stock, but it will be restocked in early March,” said Dr Dzulkefly.
“They are, however, planning to switch to trivalent inactivated influenza vaccines (TIV) come September this year.”
TIV protects against three different Influenza viruses, while Sanofi flu shots protect against influenza A and B strains.
“The influenza vaccine supply situation in Malaysia highlights some challenges in ensuring the stability of product availability, particularly for quadrivalent vaccines,” said Dr Dzulkefly.
“There are four registered influenza vaccine brands, but currently, only two are actively available on the market – namely Vaxigrip Tetra (Sanofi) and Influvac Tetra (Abbott) – which are supplied under the contract with the Health Ministry.”
“Fluarix Tetra (GSK) is no longer marketed, and SKYCellflu (Pharmaniaga Marketing, SK Bioscience Korea) has no stock in the country,” he added.
“Currently, there is an unexpected surge in demand for influenza vaccines, affecting the supply of the two remaining products.”
Said Dr Dzulkefly: “Sanofi is working to secure supplies from Thailand and France to meet demand in the private sector, while Abbott, although still having stock, has commitments tied to its contract with the Health Ministry. The Pharmacy Services Programme is closely monitoring the vaccine supply in Health Ministry facilities, and the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency is also in communication with the product registration holders to ensure a smooth supply.”
“These proactive measures are crucial to ensure that the influenza vaccines meet the current demand, especially in efforts to strengthen public health protection during the flu season,” said Dr Dzulkefly.
The Star reported that Federation of Private Medical Practitioners Associations Malaysia president Shanmuganathan T.V. Ganeson had said some vaccines are out of stock.
General practitioners are reported to be seeing a spike in demand following the death of Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, from a flu in Japan recently.
“There is currently no stock. None in Sanofi, Zuellig or third-party drug reseller companies,” said Dr Shanmuganathan.
“The new batch of vaccines, both Fluarix and Vaxigrip, may be available by early March.”
The Coverage Malaysia
