IPOH: A total of 512 students from eight schools in Perak who were down with an influenza-like illness (ILI) have recovered and were discharged from their dormitories today.
State Health Committee chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon in a statement today said all the students have shown improvements in their conditions.
“Two students who were admitted to the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh and KPJ Rawang in Selangor were also allowed to return home today.
“There were no new ILI cases reported in the state today. However, we are still monitoring the condition of these students and others as well,” he said.
Mah said this at a press conference after launching the state-level World Kidney Day at Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital here today.
He added, following the outbreak, the state’s Health Department had also run blood tests on these students and two tested positive for dengue fever.
“These two students are from the same school in Slim River. They are currently in stable condition and resting at home.
“Following this, I have told the state Health Department and Perak Medical Practitioner Society to work together in organising a seminar or talks at all schools in Perak,” he said.
Mah said that it was crucial to teach students about getting early treatments and diagnosis in order to avoid any complications and speedy recovery.
He said the ILI outbreak centred mostly at a boarding school and with so many students under one roof, if one were to fall sick, the bacteria or virus can easily spread.
It is hoped that by holding seminars and continuous medical education, the students can be more aware and understand the importance of early treatment.
“The students and the public should also be made aware of the importance of personal hygiene, especially the need to wash their hands with soap and water or a sanitiser, to prevent themselves from being infected.
“They should also distance themselves from those who are sick. We have been stressing on these preventive measures since the first ILI was detected in the state, but there are still people who are complacent and take it lightly.
“The outbreak can easily infect you if you do not take preventive measures. The disease, if not treated early, can cause pneumonia especially for those in the high-risk group,” he added.
It was reported yesterday that 230 students from Sekolah Menengah Raja Perempuan Taayah had ILI, Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman (115), Sekolah Menengah Abdul Rahman Talib (87), Sekolah Menengah Agama Darul Ridzuan (26), Sekolah Izzudin Shah (25), Kolej Vokasional Slim River (13), Sekolah Menengah Agama Sultan Azlan Shah (13) and Sekolah Kebangsaan Klebang Jaya (3).