MELAKA, Oct 8 — The Influenza A situation in Melaka remains under control and is not considered serious, despite an increase in influenza-like illness (ILI) cases and the detection of an Influenza A outbreak at a school in the Alor Gajah district during the 40th Epidemiological Week (ME40).

State Health, Human Resources and Unity Committee chairman Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem said the outbreak was successfully contained after immediate action was taken by the Melaka Health Department, including allowing symptomatic students to return home and continue their lessons remotely.

“Those infected have been advised to rest and undergo quarantine at home and not attend school to prevent further transmission. The situation is now under control, and students have resumed their learning sessions as usual.

“The Melaka Health Department will continue to monitor the development of infectious diseases and carry out prevention and control measures in collaboration with various agencies,” he said in a statement here today.

Ngwe added that the ILI consultation rate in the state rose to 12.5 per cent in ME40 (Sept 28-Oct 4), compared with 10.4 per cent in the previous week (ME39).

He said the increase was more pronounced among patients aged below 18, at 34.2 per cent compared with 29 per cent in ME 39, while for adults aged 18 and above, the rate rose to 6.8 per cent from 6.2 per cent previously.

“Data from three sentinel clinics in the state also showed an increase in the ILI consultation rate during the same period, particularly at the Peringgit Health Clinic in Central Melaka, which recorded 17.5 per cent compared with 13.7 per cent in ME39,” he said.

“Meanwhile, the Masjid Tanah Health Clinic in Alor Gajah recorded an increase to 17.5 per cent from 14.1 per cent, while the Jasin Health Clinic rose to 2.6 per cent from 1.2 per cent,” he said.

He added that the admission rate for severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) cases, however, showed a decline to 11.8 per cent in ME40, compared with 12.5 per cent in ME39.

He said that based on age distribution, the SARI consultation rate among patients aged below 13 decreased to 25.9 per cent compared with 27.5 per cent in ME39, while among patients aged 13 and above, the rate stood at 8.2 per cent, down from 8.6 per cent previously.

“As of ME40, a total of 160 influenza virus cases have been detected in Melaka, comprising 97 cases of Influenza A (H1N1), 63 cases of Influenza A (H3N2), 46 cases of Influenza B, and 122 cases of COVID-19,” he said. — Bernama

 Malay Mail – Malaysia