In view of the
increasing number of influenza cases in Malaysia, Antabax and
KPJ Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital are working together on the Always Be
Clean (ABC) for Health hygiene campaign, with the goal of raising awareness
among Malaysians on hand hygiene. Right now, there is public health emergency of
international concern - Wuhan coronavirus.
Hand hygiene and
personal hygiene is important in order to take care ourselves and minimize the
possibilities of cross-infection.
The
Ministry of Health Malaysia advises the public to practice high levels of
personal hygiene, frequent hand washing with soap and water, or with hand
sanitiser, observing correct sneezing and coughing etiquette, and following a
healthy lifestyle.
According to Ms Vivian Lee, Senior Brand Manager
of Antabax, keeping hands clean is one of the
most important steps to avoid falling ill, and reducing the spread of
communicable diseases to others.
“Antabax swung into action
upon receiving alerts on the increase in influenza cases. We have been working
with the relevant authorities to promote better hygiene habits for over a
decade, and are glad to collaborate with KPJ Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital
to educate the public on steps to reduce the risk of contracting and spreading
communicable diseases such as influenza.”
Data from the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention show not washing
hands harms children around the world. Handwashing with
soap could protect almost 1 out of 5 young children with respiratory infections
like pneumonia . Although people
around the world clean their hands with water, very few use soap to wash their
hands. Washing hands with soap removes germs much more effectively .
Influenza
is transmitted mainly by droplets disseminated by unprotected coughs and
sneezes. Short-distance airborne transmission of influenza viruses may occur,
particularly in crowded enclosed spaces. Hand contamination is another possible
source of transmission.
Signs and Symptoms of
Influenza
Signs and symptoms of
influenza include temperatures higher than 38 degrees Celsius, prolonged
lethargy or tiredness of up to two to three weeks, pronounced joint and muscle
ache, dry cough, frequent sneezing, sore throat and headache. Those
showing these signs and symptoms should seek prompt medical treatment.
High-risk groups include those above 65 years, pregnant mothers, those with
chronic illnesses, respiratory illnesses and young children.
The Ministry of
Health Malaysia also recommends the public, especially those from high risk
groups to get seasonal flu vaccination.
According to Dr Muhamad Yazli Yuhana, Consultant
Internal Medicine & Infectious Diseases of KPJ Ampang Puteri Specialist
Hospital, the hospital is treating more than 50 cases of influenza this week
and feels that it is crucial to increase awareness on the disease and reduce
the spread.
“The hospital is recording more cases as compared to
the years before. We hope that through joint initiatives such as the Antabax ABC for Health, our community will learn to take
preventive measures to protect themselves and their families. We need to be
more proactive when it comes to taking vaccinations, ensuring hand hygiene,
cough etiquette and getting prompt medical treatment, to reduce the spread of
influenza,” said Dr Yazli who gave a public talk on ‘Influenza Outbreak: Reduce
the Spread!”
The catchy Antabax hand
hygiene song lifted the spirits of the children from the KPJ Ampang Puteri
Specialist Hospital who joined the education and awareness program and helped
them remember the correct steps for hand washing as demonstrated by nurses from
the hospital’s infection control unit.
“The spread of communicable diseases such as influenza
can be reduced when we work together. It is as important to keep from spreading
the disease, as it is to keep from catching it. The key takeaway for everyone
is that we should Always Be Clean at all times,” Ms Lee added.
The ABC for Health Campaign was developed by Antabax in 2018 to raise awareness among preschoolers and
primary students. It has been rolled out to more than 6,000 students
nationwide.
 |
| Info from World Health Organization. |
All of us got to stay healthy with strong immune
system with adequate rest, practice good hand hygiene and personal care hygiene,
hydrated, light exercise and good air circulation at house, school and
workplace.
 |
| Info from Ministry of Health Malaysia (Info Updated on 01 Feb 2020, 2:30pm). |
Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) cases update by Ministry of Health Malaysia:
http://www.moh.gov.my/index.php/pages/view/2019-ncov-wuhan
Dengue Cases by Ministry of Health Malaysia : http://idengue.arsm.gov.my/
The Wuhan Virus Live Updates : https://thewuhanvirus.com/
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