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Malaysia health issues rise amid haze and poor air quality
Malaysia is experiencing a significant rise in respiratory issues due to deteriorating air quality caused by haze. Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad reported that between epidemiological weeks 32 and 33, asthma cases surged by 259 percent, rising from 61 to 219 cases. Upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) also saw a 124 percent increase, climbing from 1,637 to 3,674 cases. Conversely, conjunctivitis cases decreased by seven percent.
Several regions in Malaysia have recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) levels. In Sarawak, Serian recorded the highest reading at 197, followed by Kuching (185), Sri Aman (178), Samarahan (176), and Sarikei (128). Other unhealthy areas include Sungai Petani in Kedah and Taiping in Perak.
The haze is linked to transboundary smoke, with the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre detecting hundreds of hotspots in Kalimantan and Sumatra, Indonesia. The movement of smoke from these regions has contributed to the declining air quality in Sarawak.
Additionally, the country has recorded 90 cases of heat-related illnesses, including 71 cases of heat exhaustion and 14 cases of heatstroke. Notably, eight heatstroke cases were reported among participants of the Malaysia Games (SUKMA) in Selangor. Health officials advise the public to limit outdoor activities and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms arise.
Entities
ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre · Department of Environment Malaysia · Dzulkefly Ahmad · Kalimantan · Ministry of Health Malaysia · Sarawak · Sumatra
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) cases rose by 124 percent during the same period. www.tvsarawak.my · malaysiaindru.my · www.tamilmurasu.com.sg
- [● 4 SOURCES] Eight heatstroke cases involved participants of the Malaysia Games (SUKMA) in Selangor. www.tvsarawak.my · malaysiaindru.my · www.tamilmurasu.com.sg
- [● 4 SOURCES] Ninety cases of heat-related illnesses have been recorded nationwide. www.tvsarawak.my · malaysiaindru.my · www.tamilmurasu.com.sg
- [● 4 SOURCES] Asthma cases increased by 259 percent between epidemiological weeks 32 and 33. www.tvsarawak.my · malaysiaindru.my · www.tamilmurasu.com.sg
- [● 2 SOURCES] The ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre detected 288 hotspots in Kalimantan and 53 in Sumatra. www.mynewshub.tv · www.freemalaysiatoday.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Conjunctivitis cases decreased by seven percent. www.tvsarawak.my · malaysiaindru.my · www.tamilmurasu.com.sg
- [DISPUTED] Serian in Sarawak recorded the highest unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 197. www.tvsarawak.my · malaysiaindru.my · www.tamilmurasu.com.sg