Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Oct 15, 2025 3 months, 4 weeks, 2 days, 1 hour, 32 minutes ago
Medical News: Rising Infections Force School Closures Nationwide
Malaysia is facing a significant influenza outbreak that has infected nearly 6,000 students, prompting the closure of several schools across multiple states. Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad confirmed that the Ministry of Health is coordinating closely with the Ministry of Education to implement stronger containment measures and to protect students and staff.
Malaysia Faces Influenza Outbreak Affecting Thousands of Students
Education Ministry Director-General Mohd Azam Ahmad said the nation’s prior experience in managing infectious diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic has allowed authorities to respond swiftly. “We have reminded schools to follow preventive guidelines, encourage mask usage, and limit large gatherings among students,” he stated. The situation, while concerning, remains under control according to officials. This
Medical News report found that the outbreaks have been concentrated in areas with dense student populations, especially in urban centers.
Clusters Spreading Across Malaysia
The Ministry of Health reported 97 influenza clusters across the country, a steep increase from just 14 the previous week. The majority of these infections were traced to schools and kindergartens, where children are in close contact daily. Selangor leads with 43 clusters, followed by Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya with 15, Penang with 10, Johor with nine, and Kedah with five. Authorities have not released the exact number of school closures, but local reports confirm that several educational institutions have been ordered to shut down temporarily as a preventive measure.
The surge comes just weeks before the national Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations, a critical academic milestone for nearly 400,000 students. Officials are concerned that prolonged closures could disrupt exam preparations, prompting both ministries to consider alternative arrangements, including virtual learning options if the outbreak continues to escalate.
Penang Among the Worst-Hit States
Penang’s state health committee chairman, Daniel Gooi, revealed that although 2025 has seen a marginal decline in influenza clusters compared to 2024, vigilance remains crucial. The state recorded 18 influenza clusters this year, only slightly lower than the 19 clusters from the same period last year. Gooi noted that the positive detection rate of influenza cases last year ranged between 35.6 percent and 51.1 percent. “We have recorded 52.4 percent fewer respiratory clusters compared with 2024, but the situation can change rapidly, especially towards year-end,” he warned.
He further urged the public to maintain hygiene practices such as frequent handwashing, using sanitizers, wearing masks in crowded places, and practicing good cough etiquette to limit the virus’s spread.
Health Experts Urge Vaccination and Preventive Care
Public health specialist Dr. Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh emphasize
d that children must remain the focus of preventive efforts, given that most reported infections involve students. She recommended that all eligible individuals, including children as young as six months, receive the annual influenza vaccine. “The flu vaccine changes every year as influenza viruses evolve, so annual immunization is vital,” she explained.
Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad reiterated that while the number of influenza cases is higher than usual, there is no cause for panic. He assured citizens that Malaysia’s healthcare infrastructure is well-prepared to handle such outbreaks and that health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.
A Call for Continued Vigilance
As Malaysia contends with the largest influenza spike since the COVID-19 pandemic, authorities are determined to keep infections contained without severely disrupting education. The health and education ministries’ joint measures—including school closures, vaccination drives, and reinforced hygiene protocols—aim to prevent the spread from worsening in the coming weeks. Public awareness, personal responsibility, and timely vaccinations remain essential in protecting communities, especially as the country moves into the year-end season when respiratory illnesses tend to surge.
Reference:
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Medical News.
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