Respiratory infection cases surge 124% amid haze

 Health ministry says 17 areas recorded unhealthy air quality at 8am today.

Asthma cases amid the haze increased by 259% from 61 to 219 in the 33rd epidemiological week.

PETALING JAYA:

The health ministry recorded a surge in cases of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) and asthma over the past epidemiological week as haze continues to affect various parts of the country.

The ministry said URTI cases rose by 124.4% from 1,637 in the 32nd epidemiological week to 3,674 the following week, while asthma cases increased by 259% from 61 to 219.

However, conjunctivitis cases dropped slightly from 157 to 146.

“The ministry is aware that the number of areas with unhealthy air quality has reduced from 31 on Aug 25 to 17 at 8am today. However, the haze in several parts of Sarawak continues while the haze in other areas appears more temporary in nature.

“The ministry will continue monitoring for haze-related illnesses to evaluate the impact of the haze on the health of residents in affected areas,” it said in a statement.

As of 10.45am, only five areas had recorded unhealthy air quality: Samarahan (163), Serian (161) and Sri Aman (156) in Sarawak; followed by Cheras, Kuala Lumpur (127) and Johan Setia, Selangor (111). - FMT