Mystery Illness or COVID-19? Malaysia Reports Nearly 6,000 Students With Influenza, Schools Shut Down

Malaysia has ordered the shutdown of several schools after more than 6,000 students were found to be infected with influenza, sparking public concern and comparisons to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We already have extensive experience in dealing with infectious diseases from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Director-General Mohd Azam Ahmad said in a video shared by a local news broadcaster. Ahmad said the schools have been asked to follow preventive guidelines, including wearing masks, keeping a safe distance, and even staying at home. However, authorities have not confirmed how many schools are shut as of now. According to the Malaysian authorities, the infections have been reported across the country, with over 97 influenza clusters just detected last week, which is a significant spike from 14 clusters earlier this month. The Health Ministry has reported most of the cases from schools and kindergartens, as kids congregate in huge numbers.

New COVID-19 strain

A new COVID-19 strain, named XFG, has also recently emerged in Malaysia, believed to account for 8.2 per cent of all the recent cases. It has been classified as a “variant under monitoring” by the World Health Organization due to its high transmissibility and immune evasion capabilities. Also known as Stratus, this recombinant strain emerged in early 2025 in various countries as strains have begun to mix and mutate. Scientists say it is a natural part of viral evolution. However, XFG has attracted attention due to its rapid transmission and ability to infect people, even in the presence of some immunity from past infection or vaccination. It is now becoming one of the most commonly detected forms of COVID-19 in several regions, making awareness and preventive measures extremely important.

Malaysia intensifies surveillance

The Malaysian government has intensified genomic surveillance to track and contain the spread of new variants – even as more than 45,000 cases of COVID-19 have been reported so far - marking a 49.5 per cent decline compared to the 85,297 cases recorded during the same period in 2024.

What are the signs and symptoms of XFG?

According to experts, the symptoms of COVID-19 XFG are largely similar to previous strains, and include:

• Mild to moderate fever
• Sore throat or scratchiness
• Runny or blocked nose
• Persistent cough
• Body aches, fatigue, and severe headaches

Doctors say some people also experience breathlessness, chest discomfort, and mild loss of taste or smell. While most healthy individuals recover without complications, older adults and those with underlying health conditions must monitor symptoms and seek care promptly if they worsen. Even though XFG is not inherently more dangerous than earlier variants, its fast transmission can lead to a sudden surge in cases. A rapid rise in infections may challenge healthcare facilities, which is why preventive measures and vaccinations remain crucial. A few groups of people are more vulnerable to complications:

• Adults over 60 years of age
• Those with comorbidities like heart issues and diabetes
• Pregnant women
• Overweight or obese individuals