KUALA LUMPUR – The Health Ministry (MOH) has reported a significant increase in asthma and upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) cases as haze continues to affect parts of the country.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said monitoring conducted between epidemiological weeks (EW) 32 and 33 showed asthma cases surged by 259%, while URTI cases rose by 124%, Bernama reported.
However, cases of conjunctivitis recorded a slight decline of seven per cent during 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 told reporters this 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 8am today, with five located in Sarawak — Serian (197), Kuching (185), Sri Aman (178), Samarahan (176) and Sarikei (128).
The other affected areas were Sungai Petani in Kedah and Taiping in Perak, both recording API readings of 126.
In Kedah, the State Health Department advised residents, particularly those in Sungai Petani and Alor Setar, to limit outdoor activities due to the worsening haze.
In a statement posted on its official Facebook page, the department said Sungai Petani recorded an unhealthy API reading of 149 as of 10am today, while Alor Setar remained at a moderate level with a reading of 94.
It advised vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and individuals with heart or respiratory conditions, to take extra precautions when API levels reach unhealthy levels.
The department also encouraged the public to minimise strenuous outdoor activities, use appropriate respiratory protection when required, stay hydrated, avoid smoking and exposure to smoky or polluted areas, and check the latest API readings before carrying out outdoor activities.
On heat-related illnesses, Dzulkefly said a total of 90 cases had been reported, comprising 71 cases of heat exhaustion, 14 heatstroke cases and five cases of heat cramps.
“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 heatstroke cases involved participants of the Malaysia Games (SUKMA) in Selangor, with only one patient requiring further treatment in a hospital ward.
“The situation, however, remains under control with close monitoring by the medical task force,” he said.
Dzulkefly urged the public to remain cautious, avoid prolonged exposure to hot weather and seek immediate medical attention if they experience any symptoms related to heat-related illnesses. – August 23, 2026