Malaysian tourists encouraged to visit Japan but advised caution amid flu outbreak

While foreign media have reported a surge in influenza cases, Malaysia's Health Ministry cited data from the World Health Organization (WHO) for the Western Pacific region, which shows a declining trend, Free Malaysia Today reported.

The Western Pacific region, one of WHO's six regions, comprises 37 member countries and territories, including Japan and China.

Tour operators said there has been no significant impact on the number of Malaysians traveling to Japan, The Star reported.

Nigel Wong, president of Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents, said tour operators have not received any travel advisories from the health ministry regarding the situation.

Epidemiologists recommend that tourists get vaccinated against pneumonia, take high doses of vitamin C, and stay well-hydrated while on holiday.

Travelers experiencing symptoms such as high fever, cough, and muscle or joint aches should seek medical attention. If diagnosed with influenza, antiviral medications can be prescribed for treatment.

A Malaysian tourist who visited Japan last month reported developing flu symptoms during her trip. Due to the high cost of medical care in Japan, she was forced to return home for treatment, China Press reported.

Concerns about the flu outbreak in Japan heightened after Barbie Hsu, 49, a popular Taiwanese actress, died Feb. 2 from influenza-related pneumonia during a family trip to Japan for the Lunar New Year holidays.

Her death prompted health experts in Thailand and Hong Kong to advise their nationals to reconsider travel plans to Japan.