Malaysia battles influenza outbreak as schools close before crucial exams
The sharp spike in influenza clusters, the most widespread since Covid-19, has forced school closures and put the examination board on standby
Thousands of Malaysian pupils will stay at home for up to a week, as schools were ordered closed after nearly 100 clusters of influenza infections were reported across the country.
The sharp spike in infections of influenza types A and B comes just weeks before 400,000 students are due to sit for their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) school-leaving exam – a crucial test for university placements and scholarships.
Education Ministry Director-General Mohd Azam Ahmad said he had instructed several schools to close on the advice of district health officials to contain the spread of the virus, resulting in around 6,000 pupils being kept at home.
The ministry did not say when it would review the closures or allow the return of students. Health officials have prescribed a self-quarantine period of five to seven days for influenza patients.
Schools nationwide had also been told to carry out preventive and control measures to curb the spread of the disease, Mohd Azam added.
“We have reminded schools to follow these guidelines, encouraging the use of face masks and reducing large group activities among students,” Mohd Azam was quoted as saying by national newswire Bernama.