SHAH ALAM, Oct 16 — The spread of influenza among students at institutions of higher learning (IPTs) nationwide remains under control, said Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud.
He said the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) had received reports of several cases involving students, but prompt control and treatment measures had been taken to manage the situation.
“I was informed that there have been several influenza cases reported on campuses, but all are under control, and do not involve any serious complications.
“However, the Ministry of Health (MOH) does not take this matter lightly, and continues to monitor the situation closely,” he said at a press conference at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam, here, today.
Mustapha said that the MOHE is in constant communication with the MOH, to stay updated on any directives or announcements regarding the outbreak.
Earlier today, the MOH reported a total of 352 influenza cases recorded at schools, accounting for 65.8 per cent of all cases, followed by kindergartens with 96 cases (17.9 per cent) and higher learning institutions (IPTs) with 35 cases (6.5 per cent), based on cumulative data from Epidemiological Week (ME) 1/2025 to ME 41/2025.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad was reported as saying that the number of infection clusters in IPTs had increased significantly – from eight clusters in ME 39 to 111 in ME 40, before peaking at 202 in ME 41.
However, the trend is expected to show a decline after the number of clusters recorded in ME 42, starting Oct 12, dropped to 56.
Earlier, Mustapha officiated the closing ceremony of the IPT Language Festival 2025 at Anjung Seri Budiman, UiTM Shah Alam, which was also attended by UiTM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Shahrin Sahib @ Sahibuddin. — Bernama
