"Slight increase" of asthma cases related to haze treated at SGH in third and fourth weeks of this month

KUCHING, Aug 31 2026: State Health director Dr Veronica Lugah said there is “a slight increase of asthma cases” related to haze being treated at the Sarawak General (SGH) in the third and fourth weeks of this month.

Caption: State Health director Dr Veronica Lugah advises senior citizens and other vulnerable groups to reduce their outside physical activities

She said SGH started recording asthma cases since the beginning of this month.

“The Health Department, since the beginning of this month, has been monitoring haze-related illnesses such as urinary tract infection and conjunctivitis,” she told reporters after attending the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) emergency meeting chaired by Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah.

She said the number of people coming for treatment with urinary tract infection and conjunctivitis have increased this month compared to the previous months.

Dr Veronica advised members of the public, especially senior citizens and other vulnerable groups to reduce their outside physical activities.

She said they should stay indoors as much as possible during periods of severe haze and keep windows and external doors closed.

She advised members of the public to reduce or avoid outdoor physical activities, strenuous exercise and prolonged exposure to haze, and where outdoor exposure is unavoidable, use an appropriate N95 respirator.

Other advices she gave were:

 • Use the internal air-recirculation setting in vehicles to reduce the entry of polluted outdoor air; • Maintain adequate hydration and good personal hygiene;

• Individuals with chronic respiratory or cardiovascular conditions should continue their prescribed medication and ensure necessary medication is readily available; and

• Give particular attention to children, senior citizens, pregnant women and individuals with chronic heart or lung conditions.

Dr Veronica aslo advised members of the public to seek prompt medical attention if they experience significant breathing difficulties, persistent coughing, chest tightness or chest pain, severe eye irritation, dizziness, confusion or unusual fatigue.

“They are also advised to avoid activities that generate additional smoke, including smoking and open burning, which may further worsen air quality,” she added.