Sarawak: The Ministry of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Sarawak has called on all childcare centres and kindergartens in the state to remain alert and strictly adhere to health standard operating procedures (SOPs), following the recent rise in influenza A cases in schools.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Minister, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, emphasized the importance of Taska (childcare centre) and Tadika (kindergarten) operators and teachers continuing daily preventive practices. These include taking children's temperatures and checking their hands, feet, and mouths before allowing them into classrooms. She urged that if a child shows symptoms of a fever, hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), or flu, parents must be notified and advised to seek medical examination for their child.

Earlier, the Ministry of Education (MOE) assured that preventive and control measures to curb the spread of influenza-like illnesses (ILI) are being implemented across all educational institutions under its purview. Education director-general Dr. Mohd Azam Ahmad highlighted that these measures include a circular issued on October 6, outlining guidelines for effectively managing ILI cases. The MOE is also collaborating with the Health Ministry's Disease Control Division to monitor infections.

The Health Ministry data released yesterday reported 97 clusters of influenza A and B infections during Epidemiological Week 40/2025, a significant increase from 14 clusters the previous week, with the majority of cases occurring in educational institutions.