PETALING JAYA: Malaysians – particularly those in areas with unhealthy air quality or crowded public spaces like trains and buses – should wear face masks to curb the spread of flu, cough and sore throat during the haze, say public health experts.
Malaysian Society of Harm Reduction president and public health medicine specialist Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh said the Covid-19 pandemic fatigue had contributed to people becoming less concerned about respiratory health risks.
“People are still tired of the Covid-19 mask mandate and especially of the haze every year.
“As a result, these people have lost interest in wearing masks and forgot about the danger that can occur,” she said.
Dr Sharifa Ezat said those with flu symptoms, like coughing and sneezing, should mask up, particularly in crowded, poorly-ventilated areas, even if there is no haze.
She also urged people to practise good hand hygiene and get vaccinated annually, particularly those at higher risk.
“Isolate the ones with flu-like symptoms and quarantine anyone else if needed.
“Also do try to sanitise common areas and high-touch surfaces daily and wash patient laundry separately,” she added.
Former Health Ministry director and public health medicine specialist Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar said discomfort and misconceptions about mask effectiveness had contributed to declining use.
“Years of Covid-19 rules have taught people to wear masks only when legally required, not as a personal habit,” he said.
Dr Zainal added that many people also often misunderstand the difference between masks used to prevent infection and those intended to protect against haze particles.
“People gave up on masking because their standard surgical masks did not stop the haze smell or irritation, unaware that they needed N95 respirators instead,” he added.
Dr Zainal recommended surgical masks for those who were unwell, while N95 respirators were more suitable during unhealthy haze conditions.
He also highlighted the risks of coughing and sneezing on crowded trains and buses, advising commuters to cover their mouths and noses, sanitise their hands and avoid crowded areas where possible.
Universiti Putra Malaysia epidemiologist Assoc Prof Dr Malina Osman stressed that the public needed to distinguish between haze protection and infection prevention.
“I think you have to differentiate between preventing the hazard of haze and preventing infection.
“The mask is only useful for infection but may not be adequate for protection from the haze,” she said.
Dr Malina said surgical masks were appropriate for people with respiratory infections, while those with underlying respiratory problems should use suitable protection when air quality reached unhealthy levels.
“Those who have respiratory symptoms or those who are vulnerable, like the elderly and immunocompromised persons, should wear masks to prevent infection,” she said, adding that where possible, those who were unwell should avoid going out.
Meanwhile, no unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings were detected across Malaysia as of 6pm yesterday, according to the Environment Department’s Air Pollutant Index Management System (Apims).
A total of 48 areas across Malaysia recorded moderate API readings of between 51 and 100, while 20 other areas recorded good API readings of between 0 and 50.
The only area that recorded an unhealthy API yesterday was Samalaju in Sarawak, which saw its reading fall from 152 at 8am to 94 as of 8pm.
