Influenza outbreak infects 6,000 students nationwide, leads to temporary school closures

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 — About 6,000 school students nationwide have been infected with influenza, leading to several schools being temporarily closed on the advice of their respective District Health Offices (PKD).

Education director-general Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad said the Education Ministry (KPM) is working closely with the Health Ministry (KKM) to monitor the situation and will adhere to any directive to close schools to ensure the safety of students and staff, Kosmo! Online reported.

He did not, however, disclose the exact number of schools affected by the closures.

“We’ve instructed officers from the Examination Board to be on standby, as the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations are scheduled to begin on November 3.

At present, around 6,000 students have been identified as influenza cases, which are not concentrated in one location but spread across several states,” he said during a special press conference at the ministry today.

Responding to questions about the surge in influenza infections among students, Dr Mohd Azam said school closures are being carried out in a targeted manner, based on infection levels and recommendations from local health authorities.