By Joseph Sipalan

Copyright scmp

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, but health officials prescribe a five to seven day self-quarantine for influenza patients.
Schools nationwide have 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.
Statistics released by the health ministry last Thursday showed increases in the number of influenza clusters across all 14 states and federal territories, with the highest number recorded in Selangor.
The outbreak is one of the most widespread viral crises to hit the country since Covid-19 first struck five years ago.

Mohd Azam said the ministry possessed “extensive experience” dealing with infectious diseases from the pandemic and was prepared for any situation ahead of the SPM exam, which was scheduled to start on November 3.
“We have asked the examination board to be ready for these challenges as the SPM begins soon,” he said, without elaborating on alternative methods to holding the exams.