Education minister Mahdzir Khalid said the formation of the teams was needed as a proactive measure to monitor the health of teachers and students, besides ensuring cleanliness of schools.

“Parents also need to refer their children immediately to the nearest health clinic or hospital if they show symptoms of Zika virus infection,” he told reporters after opening an Umno divisional assembly today.

Mahdzir also announced that the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) examination, which began last Thursday, would continue according to the schedule. The ministry would take precautionary measures to ensure everything was in order in the wake of Zika infections in the country.

Malaysia recorded its first case of Zika virus infection on Thursday when a woman in Klang, Selangor tested positive for the disease a week after her return from Singapore on Aug 21.

Yesterday, Health Minister Dr S. Subramaniam confirmed that a male patient from Sabah, the first locally transmitted case of Zika virus infection in the country, died due to complications from his underlying heart condition.