KUALA LUMPUR: Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) cases surged by 167% to 7,065 cases between Sept 6 and Sept 12, the Dewan Rakyat was told.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the figures were based on statistics obtained from Epidemiological Week 36.
According to the minister, asthma cases rose by 127% to 1,117 cases while conjunctivitis cases rose by 83% to 334 during this period.
He also said URTI cases surged by almost 60% between Oct 4 to Oct 10, with 5,613 cases recorded.
Dzulkefly said the ministry conducts year-round surveillance of haze-related ailments through 78 sentinel healthcare facilities.
“As haze conditions worsened, the ministry’s Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre’s Haze Operations Centre was activated on Sept 4 to strengthen monitoring, coordination efforts and public health responses nationwide,” he said during question time in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Oct 15).
He also said the ministry is currently procuring an additional 841 adult AeroChamber units, 396 paediatric AeroChamber units and 556 nebulisers in anticipation of a possible increase in haze-related ailments.
Dzulkefly said the Health Ministry works closely with other ministries and related agencies to ensure appropriate health advice and preventive measures reach target groups.
“The public are advised to regularly monitor the latest air pollutant index (API) readings in their respective areas and comply with health advice issued by the authorities.
“Outdoor physical activities should be avoided when air quality deteriorates, while other outdoor activities should be limited to essential matters,” he said.
He also said high-risk groups should take precautions to minimise their exposure to haze. “Those who need to be outdoors should wear suitable face masks. Using air purifiers in enclosed spaces can also help reduce exposure to fine particulate matter,” he added.
He was responding to a question by Cha Kee Chin (PH-Rasah), who asked about the ministry’s efforts to address haze-related ailments alongside cooperation with relevant agencies towards the haze situation in Malaysia.
As of 10am on Thursday, a total of 34 areas nationwide recorded unhealthy air quality, with Klang and Johan Setia in Selangor registering the highest Air Pollutant Index reading at 192.
