Haze-related illnesses rise nationwide, URTI cases hit 7,065

KUALA LUMPUR: Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) cases surged by 167 per cent to 7,065 during epidemiological week 36 amid deteriorating haze conditions nationwide, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said asthma cases rose by 127 per cent to 1,117, while conjunctivitis cases increased by 83 per cent to 334 over the same period.

"Further increases were recorded in epidemiological week 40, with URTI cases rising by nearly 60 per cent to 5,613 cases, alongside increases in other haze-related conditions," he said in reply to a question from Cha Kee Chin (PH-Rasah).