Haze triggers surge of asthma cases in Malaysia
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Seven areas in Malaysia recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index readings as at 8am on Aug 23, most of them in Sarawak.
PHOTO: BERNAMA
- Asthma cases in Malaysia surged by 259% due to haze, with unhealthy air quality recorded in seven areas, prompting health warnings to limit outdoor activities.
- Heat-related illnesses increased, especially among Malaysia Games participants, but the situation remains under control and is closely monitored.
- The Kuala Selangor Wellness Hub supports weight management and mental health, aiming to help an ageing population age with dignity and stay productive.
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KUALA SELANGOR, Selangor – Asthma cases rose by 259 per cent in the latest epidemiological week amid haze affecting several parts of Malaysia, said Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad.
He said the number of asthma cases detected through the Health Ministry’s sentinel surveillance system increased from 61 in epidemiological week 32 to 219 in week 33.
Upper respiratory tract infection cases rose by 124 per cent, from 1,637 to 3,674 during the same period.
Conjunctivitis cases, however, fell by 7 per cent, from 157 to 146.
Dzulkefly said seven areas recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as at 8am on Aug 23.
Serian in Sarawak recorded the highest reading at 197, followed by Kuching at 185, Sri Aman at 178, Samarahan at 176 and Sarikei at 128.
Sungai Petani in Kedah and Taiping in Perak both recorded readings of 126.
An API reading of 101 to 200 is classified as unhealthy. A reading of 201 to 300 is very unhealthy, while readings above 300 are hazardous.
Dzulkefly urged people, especially those with asthma and other respiratory conditions, to limit outdoor activities during hazy conditions.
“Ensure that fluid intake is sufficient, avoid unnecessary exposure and follow the guidelines issued by the ministry.
“If you develop any symptoms, get examined and seek treatment immediately,” he said after launching the Kuala Selangor Wellness Hub and the Santuni Komuniti Minda Sejahtera (K-MindSet) programme on Aug 23.
He said 90 heat-related illness cases have been recorded nationwide up to epidemiological week 33.
The figure includes 71 cases of heat exhaustion, 14 cases of heatstroke and five cases of heat cramps.
Nine cases were recorded in week 33, compared with two in week 30, and three cases each in weeks 31 and 32.
Dzulkefly said eight of the latest cases involved participants at the Malaysia Games in Selangor, with only one requiring further treatment in a hospital ward.
He added that the situation was under control and was being closely monitored by the medical task force.
Dzulkefly said the Kuala Selangor Wellness Hub, which began operating in April, is the fourth in Selangor after the ones in Hulu Langat, Kuala Langat and Sabak Bernam.
There are 38 Wellness Hubs nationwide, which have benefited more than 1.9 million people.
Dzulkefly said the hub’s “Jom Nak Sihat” weight management pilot had shown encouraging results.
Of the 528 participants, 460, or 87 per cent, lost weight. Some 83 per cent improved their fitness, while 21 per cent achieved a normal body mass index.
He said the Wellness Hubs would also support efforts to prepare for an ageing population.
The Malaysian central state of Selangor has more than 900,000 residents aged 60 and above.
In Kuala Selangor, about 24,000 people, or 8 per cent of the district’s population, are senior citizens.
“We do not see these figures as a burden. We want older persons to age with dignity and remain productive,” he said.
Dzulkefly said the hubs could also serve as community platforms for mental health support.
Those seeking clinical mental health support can turn to 1,116 health clinics, nine clinics offering psychosocial rehabilitation services, 72 hospitals providing psychiatric services and 40 Mentari community mental health centres nationwide. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
