ALOR STAR: Six out of 28 secondary school students in Merbok who fell ill after attending a training camp in Yan district recently have tested positive for Influenza A.
However, the Health Ministry said it is still investigating the cause of illness involving a 14-year-old student and a school staff member who were warded at Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital in Sungai Petani after testing negative for the influenza virus.
In a statement today, the ministry said an Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) cluster was detected among the students on April 23.
“A total of 28 cases were recorded out of 158 students exposed, with an attack rate of 17.7 per cent.
“Six students who tested positive for Influenza A were treated at Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital and have since been discharged. The remaining 22 students with ILI symptoms received outpatient treatment,” it said.
The ministry said the 14-year-old student experienced fever and body aches, particularly in the right hip, on April 18 after attending the camp.
A staff member from the same school also reported symptoms of fever, fatigue, cough, and body aches since April 17.
“Both individuals were admitted to Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital and are in stable condition. Tests for influenza virus infection were negative, and investigations into the cause of their illnesses are ongoing,” it added.
The ministry said the Kuala Muda District Health Office and Kedah State Health Department have implemented control and preventive measures, including environmental investigations, risk assessments at the campsite, active case detection at the school, treatment and isolation of symptomatic cases, and continued monitoring of ILI cases in the district.
It also reminded the public to practise preventive measures such as frequent handwashing, proper cough etiquette, wearing face masks, and receiving annual influenza vaccinations.
Yesterday, it was reported that an unidentified infectious disease had left a group of people at the private training camp, including secondary school students and staff, ill.
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