PETALING JAYA: Hospitals are seeing more admissions for acute bronchitis and asthma complications as the haze coincides with an increase in influenza activity, says a respiratory medicine specialist.
Dr Tan Wang Jie said more patients were seeking treatment for haze-related lung conditions with some requiring hospitalisation.
“It is now influenza season, with more patients coming in. Haze-induced lung conditions, such as acute bronchitis and exacerbation of asthma, are requiring hospitalisation,” he said.
The World Health Organisation’s latest Western Pacific respiratory-virus surveillance bulletin also reported that influenza activity had increased in South-East Asia, particularly in Malaysia, Brunei, Cambodia and Vietnam.
Dr Tan said he had observed a worsening trend among patients who travelled regularly by motorcycle, including those commuting from the mainland to Penang.
He urged commuters to wear N95 or FFP2 masks or use public transport or a car where possible.
“Do not let your lungs become an air filter,” he said.
Dr Tan said many people still appeared to be underestimating the haze with some continuing outdoor activities without wearing masks.
He advised the public to reduce outdoor exposure when air quality remained unhealthy, particularly those with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other respiratory conditions.
“Prolonged exposure to fine particulate matter could have serious long-term consequences.
“In the long term, it can cause not only lung conditions such as chronic bronchitis and COPD but also lung cancer,” he said.
Dr Tan urged the public to take their influenza vaccination annually and keep their Covid-19 vaccinations up to date.
International Islamic University Malaysia Kuantan campus director Prof Dr Jamalludin Ab Rahman said haze could worsen existing lung conditions and affect people who were otherwise healthy.
He said those with asthma, COPD and tuberculosis were particularly vulnerable because they already had underlying lung abnormalities.
“Children are also more susceptible because their lung-protection systems are still developing.
“Exposure to allergens during childhood could increase the risk of chronic allergic reactions and asthma later in life,” he said.
Dr Jamalludin said parents should assess the situation before sending their children to school, adding that they should inform the school if they believed exposure to haze posed a danger.
He also called for greater attention to planetary health, saying environmental damage could affect public health and the economy.
“Protecting the environment should be a shared responsibility involving individuals, the government and countries in the region,” he said.
The warning comes as Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said lung diseases were among the top three causes of hospitalisation and death in Malaysia.
Citing the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023, he said asthma affected 6% of adults and up to 13% of children.
