ID :
72650
Wed, 07/29/2009 - 11:04
Auther :

EARLY MID-TERM BREAK FOR VARSITY STUDENTS TO CONTROL H1N1




KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 (Bernama) -- Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) here will
start its mid-term break Wednesday, two weeks earlier than scheduled, to control
the spread of influenza A (H1N1) among its students.

It is learnt that four of UPM students have been tested positive for the
virus so far, where two of them are currently undergoing home quarantine, while
the other two are quarantined at the hostel.

Bernama was also made to understand that the number would increase as
several other students were being tested after showing symptoms of the disease.

UPM vice-chancellor Prof Dr Nik Mustapha R. Abdullah in a statement here
Tuesday, said that the decision to start the mid-term break earlier and close
the campus starting Wednesday till Aug 4, was made upon the Health Ministry's
advice.

"Originally, the mid-term break for 2009/2010 were to commence on Aug 17
until 23," he said, adding that all academic and non-academic activities planned
throughout the mid-term break would be cancelled.

Meanwhile in Miri in East Malaysia state of Sarawak, a Chinese medium
secondary school became the first school in the city to be ordered closed for
one week starting Tuesday after one of the students there was suspected of being
infected with Influenza A (H1N1).

The school's senior assistant, Albert Ong told reporters that a written
order signed by the Miri Divisional Medical Officer Dr Muhammad Rais Abdullah
was received Tuesday requiring the school to stop classes until Aug 3.

Ong said the temporary closure would affect 2,480 students and 150 staff of
the school.

He advised the students and staff to quarantine themselves at home during
the period as a prevention against possible spread of the disease.

On Monday, a male student from the school was admitted to the Miri hospital
after he was found hav

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