PUTRAJAYA, Sept 22 — The number of haze-related illness cases showed a downtrend in Epidemiological Week (EW) 37, with asthma cases registering the largest decline of 35.36 per cent from the previous week, said the Health Ministry (MOH).
In a statement today, the ministry said daily monitoring at 78 sentinel health facilities nationwide showed 722 asthma cases in EW37, a decrease of 395 cases from the 1,117 recorded in EW36.
MOH said conjunctivitis cases declined by 32.04 per cent, or 107 cases, from 334 to 227 in the same period.
Meanwhile, upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) cases fell by 1,426, or 20.18 per cent, from 7,065 to 5,639.
“Despite the decline in monitored haze-related illnesses, the MOH will continue to closely monitor the haze and its health impacts, particularly in areas recording unhealthy air quality levels,” the statement read.
MOH said the measures include daily monitoring at 78 haze-specific sentinel health facilities, as well as assessing API readings alongside health surveillance data to determine appropriate public health moves.
The ministry also said the National Haze Operations Room, activated on September 4, would keep coordinating monitoring and response efforts while ensuring health facilities’ preparedness, including the availability of medicine, oxygen supplies and medical equipment.
MOH advised the public, particularly those in areas with unhealthy air quality, to limit outdoor activities and postpone strenuous physical exertion, while urging high-risk groups, including children, the elderly and people with chronic respiratory or heart conditions, to take precautions.
