KUALA LUMPUR: Rising temperatures, heavier rainfall, floods and haze are creating favourable conditions for diseases such as dengue and leptospirosis, putting vulnerable groups at greater risk of heatstroke and worsening chronic illnesses, say public health specialists.
With climate change already affecting public health, the medical experts cautioned that extreme weather such as the Super El Nino could also strain healthcare facilities and disrupt essential services.
Public health medicine specialist and public health activist Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar said warmer temperatures could accelerate the breeding cycle of Aedes mosquitoes and increase the spread of dengue.
He said higher rainfall was strongly associated with increased deaths from flooding and diseases such as leptospirosis, with climate data helping to predict such risks.
“Malaysia’s high humidity worsens heat stress. Young children, the elderly, and outdoor workers are particularly vulnerable to heatstroke, which can be fatal,” Dr Zainal said.
He pointed out that extreme heat could also exacerbate heart and respiratory conditions while haze could worsen asthma.
Dr Zainal said Malaysia should shift towards smarter surveillance using geographical information systems and machine learning to forecast hotspots for diseases such as leptospirosis, and integrate climate data into infectious disease monitoring.
“Dengue control measures, including larviciding and thermal fogging, should be triggered within three days of a case being detected, with multi-agency teams mobilised for rapid response,” he said.
He also called for stronger heat alerts, cooling centres for vulnerable groups and a national Heat-Health Action Plan.
Dr Zainal said hospitals and clinics should also be systematically assessed and strengthened to withstand floods, heatwaves and sudden surges in patients while climate considerations should be incorporated into health policies and planning.
Former Medical Practitioners Coalition Association of Malaysia president Dr Raj Kumar Maharajah said dengue remained a major concern as temperature and rainfall influenced mosquito survival, breeding and virus transmission.
Malaysians should also be alert to leptospirosis, diarrhoeal diseases, cholera, typhoid, hepatitis A, acute gastroenteritis and food poisoning, he said.
Dr Raj added that respiratory problems and flare-ups of chronic skin diseases could also worsen.
He noted that mental well-being must also be prioritised, as extreme climate events frequently trigger psychological distress.
The authorities, he said, should monitor heat-related hospital admissions and link disease surveillance with weather and environmental information.
He said healthcare facilities also needed back-up electricity and water sources while medicines and vaccines have to be safeguarded with medical services constantly maintained during extreme weather.
“High-risk patients, particularly the elderly, children and those with chronic illnesses should also be identified for proactive follow-up treatment,” he added.
Universiti Malaya public health expert Dr Victor Hoe said the country needs an integrated climate-health command system combining weather, environmental, disease and hospital data.
He proposed using telecommunication companies to deliver urgent public warnings while the MySejahtera application could be developed into a personal climate-health tool, allowing users to assess symptoms after exposure to heat, haze or floodwater and seek appropriate care.
“This would help authorities predict dengue outbreaks, heat-related illnesses and post-flood infections, allowing them to act before cases increase. We already have the digital foundation. We should now use it to connect climate warnings with prevention, worker protection, healthcare and measurable action on the ground.
“Malaysia also has various monitoring and response systems, but they still tend to operate separately,” he said.
Dr Hoe also called for greater protection for gig workers, particularly delivery riders and drivers exposed to heat, heavy rain, floods and poor air quality.
He said digital platforms should incorporate weather and air-quality information to reduce assignments in dangerous areas, suggest safer routes and schedule rest and hydration breaks.
The medical experts also agreed that to be prepared and effective in addressing the growing health risks posed by climate change, a whole-of-society approach was essential with the government, healthcare sector, local authorities, employers and communities working hand-in-hand.
