SEREMBAN: The public is advised to stay indoors when possible, limit time outside, and wear face masks when outdoors.
Negri Sembilan Health director Dr Zuraida Mohamed also urged the public to keep indoor air clean by closing doors and windows and avoiding activities that increase indoor pollution, such as smoking.
"Members of the public, particularly high-risk individuals such as children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with chronic medical conditions, are advised against engaging in outdoor recreational or sports activities," she said.
She added that haze-related illnesses, namely conjunctivitis, asthma, and upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), are being monitored through four designated public health clinics in Seremban, Ampangan, Nilai, and Port Dickson.
"In addition, monitoring is being conducted at hospitals to track asthma cases seeking treatment at Emergency and Trauma Departments," she told Bernama here on Friday (Aug 28).
She said haze-related illnesses in the state remain under control, with no significant increase in patient attendance or hospital admissions. However, preventive measures are necessary to reduce public health risks.
She added that the Negri Sembilan Health Department (NSHD) continuously monitors the haze situation and its health impacts to promptly detect and address any rise in haze-related conditions.
Dr Zuraida advised the public to reduce strenuous outdoor physical activity following unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings in several areas, including Seremban and Nilai.
"In areas recording unhealthy API levels (100 to 200), haze pollution can affect high-risk groups.
Yesterday, Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip was reported to have said that high haze concentrations could affect Johor, Melaka, Negri Sembilan, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya until Aug 31.
Meanwhile, according to data from the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) portal as of this morning, 20 areas nationwide recorded unhealthy API levels, with Seremban recording 108.
Further information on preventive measures to reduce haze's health impacts can be obtained via the Ministry of Health's 'Haze - Info Sihat' page under the Health Education Division. - Bernama
