Influenza A is back: What Malaysians need to know about symptoms, causes, and prevention

It starts with a sneeze…

You woke up, throat feels scratchy, body aches, and your head heavy.

“Maybe just allergies,” you tell yourself — until a colleague messages...

‍“Bro, half the office on MC — Influenza A kena lagi!”

Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Across Malaysia, more people are catching the flu again as Influenza A makes a seasonal comeback, especially in schools and workplaces.

According to the Ministry of Health, there have been 15 new clusters of influenza-like illness (ILI) recorded nationwide in late September. (Astro Awani, 2025).

What exactly is Influenza A?

Influenza A — or flu A — is a contagious viral infection that attacks your nose, throat, and lungs. It’s more aggressive than the common cold and tends to spread quickly in crowded places like classrooms, offices, and public transport.

Get this; in Malaysia, flu seasons often coincide with the monsoon months, when people spend more time indoors and in close contact.

Recent local outbreaks: what’s happening in Malaysia?

• In Melaka, a school in Alor Gajah recently reported several Influenza A cases. Health officials say it’s under control with proper monitoring and isolation (Malay Mail, Oct 2025).
• Over in Kelantan, five clusters were found in boarding schools, where shared dorms and tight spaces made it easy for the virus to spread (Malay Mail, 2025).
• In Melaka, three government clinics also saw a rise in flu-like illness cases, though the situation remains manageable (The Star, 2025).

Still, there’s some good news — Malaysia’s overall flu cases actually dropped by 11% from 2023 to 2024, and flu-related deaths fell by a massive 68%, thanks to more people getting vaccinated and practising better hygiene (NST, 2025).

How to tell it’s Influenza A — not just a cold

Here’s a quick way to tell the difference:

If you suddenly feel like you’ve been “hit by a truck”, it’s probably the flu.

How Influenza A spreads

Flu spreads fast — here’s what to watch out for:

☑️ Air droplets – From coughs, sneezes, or even talking.
☑️ Surfaces – Lingers on door handles, lift buttons, and phones.
☑️ Crowded spots – Classrooms, offices, buses — easy targets.
☑️ Before symptoms show – You can spread it without knowing it (MOH, 2025).
☑️ Close contact – Handshakes or sharing utensils pass it along.

Pro tip: Sanitise often and keep your distance when needed.

What to do if you catch Influenza A: Easy home care tips

Caught the flu — or want to avoid it altogether? Here’s how to make your home your best defence:

• 🏠 Rest and recharge – Don’t fight it. Your body heals faster when you take it easy.
• 🥣 Stay hydrated – Sip on water, soups, or warm drinks to soothe your throat (Lowkey, try a spoonful of honey, they work!)
• 🧼 Clean your space – Wipe down phones, remotes, and other frequently touched items.
• 💨 Let the air in – Fresh air helps clear out germs.
• 📱 Stay connected safely – Work or study from home when unwell. With CelcomDigi’s unlimited hyperspeed Fibre Internet, you won’t miss a single update while recovering.
• 💉 Plan your flu shot – One quick jab can protect you for the season.

Stay Safe!

Influenza A may be making headlines again, but it doesn’t have to slow you down. A little awareness, a quick jab, and smart habits go a long way. Whether you’re resting at home, studying online, or catching up on your favourite shows — stay healthy, stay connected.

And here’s the best part — with the NEW CelcomDigi app, you can now enjoy an:

Exclusive 100GB of high-speed Internet for just RM1, for 24 hours🔥🔥

Stream, scroll, and stay close to what matters most — all without worrying about data limits.

So as you recharge this flu season, keep your connection strong with CelcomDigi — always keeping you powered up, protected, and connected. 💛

Oh here's the best part! By the time you recover, you get a free voucher, fully on us when you maintain your streaks 😉

👉 Download the CelcomDigi app now. Keeping you entertained, all-in-One app.