{
  "id": 4522847,
  "title": "Riau’s acute respiratory cases increase by 1,960 a week",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/riaus-acute-respiratory-cases-increase-by-1-960-a-week",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-30T23:26:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Jakarta Post",
    "slug": "the-jakarta-post",
    "url": "https://www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/2026/08/31/riaus-acute-respiratory-cases-increase-by-1960-a-week.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Riau province is witnessing a surge in acute respiratory infection cases, with a 1,960 increase over the past week. This spike in ISPA cases is a direct consequence of the deteriorating air quality resulting from forest and land fires. The infection is affecting ten out of the twelve cities and regencies in the province. On Wednesday alone, there were 634 cases reported, with Pekanbaru, Pelalawan regency, Siak, and Kampar recording the highest number of infections at 563, 535, 198, and 195 respectively. The Riau Health Agency, led by Zulkifli, revealed that this week's data showed a marked increase, with 43 cases of asthma, 36 cases of skin irritation, and 16 cases of conjunctivitis also being reported. This year alone, Riau has recorded 237 ISPA cases and 629 pneumonia cases among toddlers. Amid these health concerns, seven regions in the province have implemented online learning to mitigate exposure to haze.",
  "summary": "Acute respiratory infection cases spread in 10 out of 12 cities and regencies in the province with seven regions implementing online learning to prevent haze exposure.",
  "key_points": [
    "Riau province sees 1,960 increase in acute respiratory cases weekly",
    "Air quality deterioration from forest and land fires causes surge",
    "Pekanbaru, Pelalawan, Siak, Kampar record highest infections"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The surge in acute respiratory cases in Riau province underscores the impact of worsening air quality on public health, prompting some areas to shift to online learning to reduce exposure to haze.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}