This is a sharp increase compared with only 14 clusters recorded in the previous week, with the majority involving educational institutions.
The health ministry said all states recorded an increase, with the five highest being Selangor (43 clusters), Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya (15), Penang (10), Johor (nine) and Kedah (five), Bernama reported.
“The majority of the clusters were reported in secondary schools (32), followed by primary schools (26), kindergartens (15) and private schools (nine).
“This increase reflects the usual seasonal influenza transmission trend, which remains under control,” the ministry said in a statement today.
It said current transmissions were caused by the Influenza A (H3) virus, a seasonal strain.
The ministry said there was also an increase in influenza-like illness (ILI) cases but the situation remains under control.
Monitoring at 58 sentinel health clinics nationwide recorded a 7.38% increase over the week, compared with 5.95% the previous week.
“The ministry advised patients to get adequate rest, drink plenty of water, and practise proper cough etiquette and personal hygiene to prevent spreading the infection to others.
It recommended school authorities to monitor students with symptoms, ensure they seek immediate treatment and were isolated.
It instructed them to notify the district health office in the event of an increase in cases to enable immediate control measures to be implemented.
Meanwhile, a Special Education Integrated Programme (PPKI) class at Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Permas Jaya 2, Masai, Johor, was ordered to close for 10 days, from yesterday, following an outbreak of influenza A.
State education and information committee chairman Aznan Tamin said this came after five students, a teacher, and a student management assistant tested positive for the infection, while 15 other students exhibited symptoms.
He said that all infected individuals had been instructed to undergo quarantine, starting today.
“However, six teachers and two other assistants have tested negative and are allowed to continue working as usual.”
The case involving SK Taman Permas Jaya 2 is the sixth influenza cluster recorded in Johor Bahru this year. Four of these clusters involved influenza A and the other two influenza B.