Influenza A Case Soars In Malaysia, Several Schools Closed!

Ilstrasj influenza A. (Pexels/ Ron Lach)

JAKARTA - Cases of influenza A infection jumped dramatically in Malaysia, especially in children. This has even led to several schools being closed in order to maintain the safety of students.

Quoted from CNA, on Thursday, October 30, 2025, the Director General of the Malaysian Education Conservation Ministry, Mohd Azam Ahmad, did not explain the details of the closed schools. However, he said that cases of infection were detected in several regions across the country.

To overcome the case of influenza A infection, the Malaysian government implemented handling similar to COVID-19. Starting from maintaining cleanliness to wearing masks.

"We already have extensive experience in dealing with infectious diseases due to the COVID-19 pandemic," said Azam Ahmad.

"We have reminded schools to follow these guidelines, encourage the use of face masks and reduce the activity of large groups among students," he added.

In the previous week, local health ministries reported 97 influenza clusters across the country. Most were reported in schools and kindergartens, with about 83 percent of infection cases.

83 percent of cases were reported in schools and kindergartens. Of these, 65.8 percent were in school, while about 17 percent were in kindergarten, said Malaysian Health Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

Monash University's virologist, Associate Professor Dr Vinod Replagubramaniam, said children are highly efficient infectious.

Children also have weaker immunity than adults, so that the transmission of influenza A in them is faster and easier.

Classrooms, canteens, buses, tutoring centers, and extracurricular activities involve congested and prolonged indoor contact, which accelerates transmission after the virus enters", concluded experience.