Influenza A: SK Stella Maris first Sabah school to close

KOTA KINABALU, Jan 21 -- A primary school here, Sekolah Kebangsaan Stella Maris has been ordered to close after six students were reported to have contracted Influenza A or H1N1.

Sabah Health and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk Frankie Poon Ming Fung in confirming the closure said the decision to close was made by the Kota Kinabalu Health Office.

The Sabah State Health Department will continue to monitor closely, he told reporters after the handing over of lion heads in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration to 40 Chinese Associations by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal here, today.

He was asked to comment on the school's seven-day closure notice beginning tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Mohd Shafie said all parties especially parents should play a role by monitoring their children and taking precautionary measures.

He said the government via the State Health Department would strive to control the disease to prevent it from spreading.

-- BERNAMA