KUALA LUMPUR: Eight primary and secondary school students and two teachers in three districts in Kedah were confirmed to have contracted the Influenza A virus since Jan 1.
Kedah Health, Rural Development and Religious Affairs Executive Committee chairman Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh said the influenza-related illnesses were reported in Kota Setar, Sungai Petani and Kulim/Bandar Baharu districts between Jan 1 and 9.
“Patients were diagnosed with influenza after undergoing checks at hospitals following symptoms of fever, cough and sore throat.
“Hospital authorities have taken samples from the patients, who are warded in government and private hospitals in the state. They are in stable condition,” he said at Wisma Darulaman here yesterday.
He said the situation was not serious and was under control.
He said tourists entering the country via the Malaysian-Thai and Langkawi International Airport were required to undergo a temperature screening.
“Those with temperatures exceeding 37°C will be quarantined before being referred to the nearest hospital.”
Influenza is an infection with flu symptoms, such as fever, sore throat, cough, headache, muscle and joint pain and fatigue.
The outbreak caused by the seasonal influenza virus causes only a mild cold in most people, but can lead to severe infections in high-risk groups like children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses.
However, Influenza A, also known as H1N1, is regarded as a more severe strain of the virus that spreads through direct contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids.
Infected persons also experience flu-like symptoms. The virus has been found to infect more children and young adults than those in older age groups.
Between Dec 15 and 28, eight children in Sabah tested positive for Influenza A.
On Jan 8, two Year Two classes at SJK(C) Li Hwa in Penang were closed after a number of pupils caught Influenza A.
The Penang Education Department said the two classes would be closed from Jan 8 to Saturday to allow disinfection to be carried out.
In Kuantan, a pair of twins were diagnosed with H1N1 last month. One of them died.
Two schoolchildren from Pahang, age 10 and 8, were diagnosed with H1N1.
Up to noon yesterday, Penang had 99 influenza cases, said state Health Department director Dr Asmayani Khalib.
She said of the 99 cases, 29 individuals were receiving inpatient treatment and in stable condition.
“The remaining 70 are receiving outpatient treatment,” she said, adding that there were 23 influenza clusters.
She said the state Health Department would monitor influenza cases by using the influenza-like illnesses proxy indicator, which was recorded in selected clinics in the state.
Asked whether schools in the state would close due to the disease, she said the department would follow up with the state Education Department on the matter.
Penang Education Department director Abdul Rashid Abdul Sa-mad said he would issue a statement today after getting the latest information on the disease.
It was reported that 62 people in the state have come down with influenza and influenza-like illnesses up to Friday, confirmed by the state Health Department.
Dr Asmayani said 15 people had been hospitalised and were in stable condition.
She said the 62 people were part of 10 influenza-like illness clusters identified in the state based on data obtained from selected sentinel clinics.
In Johor Baru, Bernama reported that 89 schoolchildren in Johor had been infected with influenza up to 1.30pm yesterday.
Johor Education Department director Azman Adnan said Johor Baru had the highest number of cases at 56, followed by Kulai (15), Tangkak (six), Kluang (five), Muar (five) and one each in Batu Pahat and Pontian.
He said data from government and private health centres showed that the cases comprised pre-school, primary and secondary schoolchildren.
He said no classes or schools had been closed.
“Schools are operating as usual. If there are only one or two cases, the school’s standard operating procedure is to clean the classroom with antiseptic.”
He said if there were more cases, the Health Office would decide whether to suspend classes or schools.
“This has not been necessary in Johor,” Azman said.
He said the Johor Health Department had taken early measures to tackle the problem and was in constant contact with Health Offices.
He said the affected schools had screening apparatus to detect students who had fever.
He said students or anyone with symptoms of influenza were also not allowed into the school.
“They will be required to go home and seek treatment at a clinic or hospital.”
He said those who showed symptoms while they were in school would be quarantined in a special room or the sick bay.
“Similarly, students staying in hostels will also be quarantined until they recover.”