Ministry of Health records rise in asthma, urti cases amid haze

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has recorded a sharp increase in asthma and upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) cases amid haze conditions affecting several areas in the country.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said monitoring between epidemiological week (EW) 32 and 33 showed asthma cases increased by 259 per cent, while URTI cases rose by 124 per cent.

He said conjunctivitis cases, however, decreased by seven per cent over the same period.

“URTI recorded the highest number at 3,674 cases, an increase from 1,637, while asthma cases reached 219 compared with 61 cases. Conjunctivitis cases, meanwhile, dropped to 146 from 157 cases,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters after officiating the Wellness Hub Kuala Selangor and the Prosperous Mind Community Outreach Programme (K-Mindset) here today.

Dzulkefly said seven areas recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 8 am today, with five in Sarawak, namely Serian (197), Kuching (185), Sri Aman (178), Samarahan (176) and Sarikei (128). The other areas were Sungai Petani, Kedah, and Taiping, Perak, both recording an API reading of 126.

In Kedah, the State Health Department advised the public, particularly those in Sungai Petani and Alor Setar, to reduce outdoor activities due to the haze.

In a statement on its official Facebook page, the department said Sungai Petani recorded an API reading of 149 as of 10 am today, which was categorised as unhealthy, while Alor Setar recorded a moderate reading of 94.

It advised high-risk groups, including children, the elderly and those with heart or respiratory conditions, to exercise greater caution when the API reaches unhealthy levels.

The department also urged the public to reduce strenuous outdoor activities, use suitable respiratory protection when necessary, drink sufficient water, avoid smoking and areas with smoke and pollution, and check the latest API readings before planning outdoor activities.

On heat-related illnesses, Dzulkefly said 90 cases had been recorded, comprising 71 cases of heat exhaustion, 14 heatstroke cases and five heat cramps cases.

“Based on statistics from EW 30 to 32, the number of reported cases ranged between two and three cases respectively. However, the latest EW statistics up to today recorded nine cases, primarily related to heatstroke,” he said.

He said eight of the heatstroke cases involved participants in the Malaysia Games (SUKMA) in Selangor, with only one requiring further treatment in a hospital ward.

“The situation, however, remains under control with close monitoring by the medical task force,” he said.

Dzulkefly also advised the public to remain vigilant, avoid excessive exposure to sunlight and seek immediate medical attention if they experience any symptoms.

Source: Bernama