Haze: Nine areas in 5 states record unhealthy API readings

Nine areas in five Malaysian states recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings on 6pm today, with the highest reading of 186 in Serian, Sarawak. Other areas in Sarawak with unhealthy readings were Kuching (176) and Samarahan (173), while in Selangor, Johan Setia recorded an API reading of 160. Taiping in Perak recorded an API reading of 115, while Minden in Penang recorded 106.

In Kedah, Sungai Petani recorded an API reading of 153. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad reported a sharp increase in asthma and upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) cases amid deteriorating air quality, with asthma cases surging by 259 per cent and URTI cases rising by 124 per cent between epidemiological weeks 32 and 33.

High-risk groups were advised to exercise greater caution and limit outdoor activities when API levels reached unhealthy levels. Indonesia is also taking measures to contain forest and land fires in Kalimantan, with smoke from the fires reaching neighbouring Sarawak, where several areas have recorded unhealthy air quality.

Brief written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.