INFLUENZA-LIKE ILLNESS CLUSTER DETECTED AMONG STUDENTS IN KUALA MUDA

PUTRAJAYA, April 28 (Bernama) -- An Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) cluster has been detected by the Kuala Muda District Health Office (PKD) involving students at an educational institution in Kuala Muda, Kedah, with 28 cases identified out of 158 exposed students, resulting in an attack rate of 17.7 per cent.

In a statement today, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said six of the 28 cases had tested positive for Influenza A. They were treated at Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital in Sungai Petani and have since been discharged, while 22 other symptomatic students received outpatient treatment.

"Control and prevention measures have been carried out by the PKD and the State Health Department. These include environmental investigations, risk assessments at the camp site, active case detection at the educational institution, treatment and isolation of symptomatic cases, and ongoing monitoring of ILI cases in Kuala Muda," the statement read.

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The MOH also reported that on April 23, the Kuala Muda PKD received notification of a 14-year-old male student from the same institution who developed fever and body aches, particularly in the right hip, on April 18 after attending a two-day Jati Diri Camp at a recreation centre in Yan district.

Meanwhile, a staff member from the same institution began experiencing fever, fatigue, cough, and body aches on April 17.

Both individuals were admitted to Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital and are currently in stable condition. Tests confirmed that neither case was caused by an Influenza virus infection, and investigations into the source of their illnesses are ongoing.

The MOH reminded the public to continue practising preventive measures, such as frequent handwashing with soap and water or using hand sanitiser, practising good cough etiquette by covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and wearing face masks, especially among high-risk groups.

The public is also urged to seek immediate medical attention at government or private healthcare facilities if experiencing prolonged symptoms such as fever, cough, or cold.

On April 26, media reports stated that 39 individuals, comprising Form Two students and staff from a secondary school in Kuala Muda, claimed to have developed fever, cough, and skin rashes after attending a training camp in Yan.

It was also reported that about 100 students who participated in activities at the camp between Thursday and Saturday recently showed symptoms of infectious disease.

-- BERNAMA