JOHOR BARU: No directive has been issued to close the five schools linked to the tuberculosis (TB) outbreak in Kota Tinggi, says state education and information committee chairman Aznan Tamin.
The Health Ministry, he said, had fully screened students from the three primary and two secondary schools involved.
“Any decision related to school closures falls solely under the jurisdiction of the district health office, and, so far, there has been no directive to close the schools.
“Students in the affected schools have been fully screened, and the district health office has also conducted engagement sessions with the schools.
“Sanitation and thorough cleaning have also been carried out in areas identified as high-risk as an early preventive step,” he said.
He added that the district health office will also arrange for medical officers to visit affected schools to provide further briefings on TB, including preventive measures that should be observed.
“All schools are reminded to continuously comply with the Health Ministry’s directives and guidelines and to refrain from spreading unverified information that could cause public anxiety.”
Last Thursday, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad confirmed the emergence of a TB cluster in Pengerang, Kota Tinggi, with 33 positive cases detected following the screening of 804 close contacts.
Aznan had previously confirmed that six students were among the 33 positive cases and that no directive had been issued to close any schools, as the situation remained under control.
TB is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is transmitted through the air to nearby close contacts. Symptoms include a persistent cough, significant weight loss, loss of appetite, night sweats and coughing up blood.
TB is preventable and fully curable through effective treatment, with a minimum treatment period of six months.
