Johor health director Dr Mohtar Pungut@Ahmad said the boy died from septic shock secondary to meningoencephalitis.

“It had nothing to do with heat stroke as reported in the media.

“The department would appreciate it if people could refrain from speculation that could confuse the public,” he said in a statement.

He also revealed that the victim was warded at the Enche’ Besar Hajjah Khalsom Hospital in Kluang after suffering a seizure.

The student also had fever a day before and had been coughing, he said.

Berita Harian had reported that the boy, Airiel Syahren, had died of a heat stroke yesterday.

Several areas in the country are experiencing a heat wave with the meteorological department issuing a level one alert for the Padang Terap district in Kedah and Jempol in Negeri Sembilan yesterday.

The yellow level alert refers to daily temperatures continually hovering between 35°C and 37°C for at least three consecutive days.