JOHOR BARU: Johor has recorded an increase in conjunctivitis, upper respiratory tract illness (URTI) and asthma cases since haze shrouded the country since late last month.
State health and unity committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said two districts – Johor Baru and Batu Pahat – have consistently recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings of more than 101 for the past week.
“This has led to more people facing health complications such as conjunctivitis, which recorded 45 cases in epidemiology week (ME) 40.
“This was an increase compared to 26 cases in the week (ME39) before when there was no haze.
“A total of 82 asthma cases were reported in ME40 compared with 52 cases the week before,” he said in a press conference here on Tuesday (Oct 10).
Ling, who is also Yong Peng assemblyman, said URTI cases rose from 1,174 cases to 1,528 cases during the same period.
He added that those affected include children, especially for asthma cases.
He also said that the patients mostly sought outpatient treatment with no hospitalisation needed.
As of 3pm Tuesday, the MyIPU app showed that Larkin in Johor Baru recorded an API reading of 152 whereas Batu Pahat showed a reading of 159.
Air quality is deemed unhealthy if the API reading is between 101 and 200, and very unhealthy if it is between 201 and 300.
An API of more than 300 means the air quality has become hazardous.
Ling said the Environment Department has forecasted the air quality to worsen in those two areas but hoped that the state’s health situation would not deteriorate further.
“The public, especially those with respiratory issues, are advised to avoid outdoor activities. “Wear a facemask when you head out, drink lots of plain water to prevent symptoms such as cough, sore throat and headaches,” he said.
Source : TheStar