Schools closed to stop spread of mumps

KUALA LUMPUR: In a statement issued yesterday, the Ministry of Health (MOH) explained further the closure of a school in Kajang and Gombak after a notice was issued under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).

Sekolah Menengah Agama Persekutuan (SMAP) Kajang and Sekolah Berasrama Penuh (SBP) Integrasi Gombak were ordered closed by the Ministry of Education till Nov 9 and Nov 6 respectively because the Paramyxovirus was continuing to spread among students despite steps to contain the infection.

The statement from Health DirectorGeneral, Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, added that despite those infected with mumps being isolated and health education classes conducted, students mingling were allowing the virus to spread.

Malaysia started its immunisation programme for mumps in 2002 with the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine which reduces the risk of infection or its severity.

Mumps is an airborne virus and spread through droplets of contaminated saliva or contact with contaminated objects. Those infected will usually take two to three weeks to recover.

MOH is urging students who have symptoms like fever, headache, muscle ache, fatigue, loss of appetite, and swelling and pain around the salivary glands to see a doctor as well as skip school to avoid infecting others.