Negeri sembilan: The public is advised to stay indoors when possible, limit time outside, and wear face masks when outdoors. Negeri Sembilan Health director Dr. Zuraida Mohamed also urged the public to keep indoor air clean by closing doors and windows and avoiding activities that increase indoor pollution, such as smoking.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr. Zuraida emphasized that high-risk individuals, including children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with chronic medical conditions, should avoid outdoor recreational or sports activities. She highlighted that haze-related illnesses such as conjunctivitis, asthma, and upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) are being monitored through four designated public health clinics in Seremban, Ampangan, Nilai, and Port Dickson.
Monitoring is also underway at hospitals to track asthma cases seeking treatment at Emergency and Trauma Departments. Dr. Zuraida assured that haze-related illnesses in the state remain under control, with no significant increase in patient attendance or hospital admissions. However, she stressed the importance of preventive measures to mitigate public health risks.
The Negeri Sembilan Health Department (NSHD) continuously monitors the haze situation and its health impacts to promptly detect and address any rise in haze-related conditions. Dr. Zuraida advised the public to reduce strenuous outdoor physical activity, particularly in areas with unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings, such as Seremban and Nilai.
In areas recording unhealthy API levels (100 to 200), haze pollution can affect high-risk groups. The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) director-general Dr. Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip noted that high haze concentrations could affect Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya until Aug 31.
Data from the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) portal as of this morning indicated that 20 areas nationwide recorded unhealthy API levels, with Seremban recording 108. For further information on preventive measures to reduce haze's health impacts, the public can visit the Ministry of Health's 'Haze - Info Sihat' page under the Health Education Division.