Disease Outbreak & Public Health across Malaysia
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Pharmacists urge Malaysians to treat haze as recurring health threat, prepare in advance
The Malaysian Pharmacists Society is urging Malaysians to treat transboundary haze as a recurring public health threat, not a temporary nuisance. Its president advised vulnerable groups to reduce outdoor activity, use N95 masks, and keep medication on hand as haze affects several areas including Sarawak, Sabah, and Labuan.
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Haze: Face masks not a licence to stay outdoors longer, says UNIMAS public health expert
A public health expert from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Prof Dr Helmy Hazmi, advises the public not to use face masks as a reason to prolong time outdoors during haze. He emphasizes reducing exposure, avoiding strenuous outdoor activities, and warns that masks do not make exercise safe in poor air quality. He also reminds high-risk groups like children, the elderly, and pregnant women to take extra precautions.
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Paediatricians urge schools to limit children's outdoor activities during haze
Paediatricians in Malaysia are advising schools and parents not to wait for the Air Pollutant Index (API) to reach 101 before limiting children's outdoor activities during the current haze. They say children should already minimise outdoor activities when air quality is in the 'moderate' range of 51 to 100. The haze is caused by smoke from forest fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan.
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Pharmacist groups urge Malaysians to protect health as haze hits Sarawak
The Malaysian Pharmacists Society, along with its Sarawak and Sabah counterparts, is urging Malaysians to take health precautions as transboundary haze affects the country. Sarawak is currently experiencing the worst air quality, with unhealthy and very unhealthy readings leading to school closures. The smoke is coming from fires in Kalimantan.