{
  "id": 4641483,
  "title": "Sarawak sees rise in respiratory infection, conjunctivitis cases amid worsening air quality",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/sarawak-sees-rise-in-respiratory-infection-conjunctivitis-cases-amid",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-31T11:36:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/08/1522921/sarawak-sees-rise-respiratory-infection-conjunctivitis-cases-amid"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUCHING: Sarawak has seen a surge in respiratory tract infections (RTIs) and conjunctivitis cases since early August due to worsening air quality, according to Deputy Premier Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian. The weekly RTI cases have climbed to 1,752 from approximately 1,717 at the start of the year, with the most notable increase occurring in mid-August. In the Central Zone alone, over 1,000 cases were reported, while the Southern Zone recorded around 1,250 cases, and the Northern Zone experienced nearly 400 cases. Dr Sim, who is also the state public health, housing, and local government minister, stated that the Health Department is monitoring haze-related illnesses through 15 sentinel health facilities across the state, focusing on three main conditions related to poor air quality: RTIs, asthma, and conjunctivitis. From January to the end of August 2026, these facilities recorded about 694,800 patient visits, including 64,688 RTI cases and 6,156 asthma cases. While asthma cases at Sarawak General Hospital's Emergency and Trauma Department increased on several days in August, the overall monitoring did not indicate a sustained surge in asthma cases. Dr Sim assured that Sarawak's healthcare facilities are well-prepared to handle any increase in haze-related cases, including adequate stockpiles of essential medicines and medical supplies, such as three-ply and N95 masks and oxygen cylinders.",
  "summary": "KUCHING: Sarawak has recorded an increase in upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) and conjunctivitis cases amid deteriorating air quality since early August, with weekly URTI cases rising to 1,752 from about 1,717 at the beginning of the year.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "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."
}