Health Ministry says no new strain of influenza

• Calls for public to be calm, refutes false reports on social media  
• Cautions children and the elderly, wants public to practise basic hygiene
• Patient numbers see slowdown in Dec, further reduction expected in coming months    

The Health Ministry yesterday said no new strain of influenza had been identified and called on the public to practise basic hygiene and avoid crowded places, especially children and the elderly, assuring that patient numbers were on the decline.    

Issuing a statement, the Ministry requested children below two years, pregnant mothers and adults above 65 years to be more cautious and consult a doctor if they recognised the symptoms of influenza.

“The present disease condition of influenza is a general disease condition. This is not due to an unrecognised disease or new virus. Therefore, the public does not have to have an unnecessary fear of the disease condition,” the statement said.

The Ministry said those within the risk group should avoid crowded places to control the further spread of the disease. The Health Ministry also said patient numbers would decrease over the next few months as influenza was usually a seasonal ailment. 

“There is an increase of influenza patients every year with the North East monsoon season. There was an increase in influenza patients during November and December. However, there was a decrease in the number of patients in December compared to November.”

According to the Ministry, fever caused by the influenza virus has minor symptoms such as cold and cough. The statement also said recovery could happen without any specific treatment. However, the ministry said patients suffering severe cold and flu symptoms or experiencing difficulty in breathing should seek immediate treatment.