Public Health Malaysia (PHM) issued the warning in a Facebook post after noticing an increasing number of influenza self-test kits being sold both in physical stores and online platforms.
“Attention to all employees and employers — recently, there’s been a surge in the sale of influenza self-test kits in the market and online. However, it must be emphasized that, as of now, no influenza self-test kits have been approved by the MDA,” PHM stated.
The agency stressed that influenza diagnosis can only be confirmed by a doctor, based on clinical evaluation and validated laboratory tests.
“You cannot confirm that you have influenza solely based on the result of a test kit bought online or from Shopee,” PHM cautioned.
It added that diagnosing influenza requires a comprehensive medical assessment, including evaluation of symptoms, medical history, and the need for antiviral medication or further referral. “Without proper examination, treatment could be inaccurate or delayed,” it warned.
The Health Ministry (KKM) recently announced that all healthcare facilities and personnel are on standby for any potential surge in influenza cases.
The ministry also stated that Emergency and Trauma Departments (A&E) in all public hospitals have implemented separate pathways for infectious and non-infectious patients to prevent cross-infection and hospital-acquired illnesses.
Additionally, KKM has activated its Hospital Disaster Plan, which includes the setup of disaster zones, additional bed capacity, and the internal mobilization of staff in the event of a sudden increase in cases.
