Dr Mahyuddin Ismail, director of the Islamic centre and human development at Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP), told the New Straits Times that apart from the weather, the wide media publicity given to such cases could also have contributed to the spread of hysteria in the country recently.

“It could be due to several possibilities, including exaggerated or uncontrollable emotions prompted by the persistent hot spell which may have affected the students.

“Some might have fever or were feeling unwell and experiencing hallucinations,” said Mahyuddin, who was instrumental in producing an anti-hysteria kit at UMP four years ago.

He also said media reports on cases of hysteria could likely contribute to the break-out of similar cases at other schools.

“Since mass hysteria in one of the schools made headlines, news of the ghostly apparitions might have spread and affected students from other schools leading to uncontrollable emotions.”

Mahyuddin said the “treatment” for hysteria should begin with identifying the source of the disturbance, such as whether any of the students had gone for camping at places with a history of hysteria outbreaks, or whether they had played “spooky” games like “Spirit of the Coin.”

He added that UMP was willing to provide assistance to handle the hysteria menace, if required.

So far, more than 120 students and teachers at various schools in Kelantan have been affected in the outbreak of hysteria.