IPOH, Jan. 17 -- Influenza infections are rarely fatal and Malaysians need not be alarmed despite suspected deaths from the illness, Deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye said today.

Dr Lee said there was no need to rush for vaccinations in response.

He said that the fatality rate for influenza infections was lower than that of motor vehicle accidents in the country.

"Based on the previous influenza A (H1N1) pandemic in 2009, the fatality rate of influenza is less than 1 in 10,000. The fatality rate in the highest risk group is about 1.5 per 10,000 influenza patients.

"This is even lower than the risk of motor vehicle accident death per year, which is 2.6 per 10,000 as recorded in 201," he told a press conference after visiting the ...