Patients with haze-related illness increase 30 percent in Sarawak

The number of patients who were seeking respiratory tract infection treatment following the haze situation in Sarawak increased by 30 per cent, last week.

Sarawak Health Department director Datuk Dr Zulkifli Jantan said the data also included patients who received treatment as outpatients.

"The number of patients who sought treatment for ARI (acute respiratory infection) from sentinel clinics across the state until Sept 13 recorded an increase of 30 per cent," he told reporters after launching the state-level 2nd Sarawak Pressure Injury Update 2015 at Sarawak General Hospital Heart Centre here, today.

He also advised people to reduce outdoor activities, especially during the Air Pollutant Index readings in two areas - Kuching and Samarahan were very unhealthy.

"Kindly use the face masks when outdoors and drink plenty of plain water to avoid health problems," he said.