Asthma Attacks Jump As Haze Hits The Country

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12 (Bernama) -- The number asthmatic patients who sought treatment at the Health Ministry's clinics jumped as the Air Pollutant Index (API) in the Klang Valley and its surrounding areas surged drastically over the past two days.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said checks conducted at government clinics in Pandamaran, Shah Alam, Bangi, Selayang Baru, Nilai, Ampangan, Seremban and Putrajaya revealed the number of cases in certain clinics had risen by five times.
Seremban registered a 550 percent increase in the number of outpatients with asthma, Kajang 500 percent and Selayang Baru 250 percent, he told reporters after distributing respiratory protection masks at the Sungai Besi Plaza Toll Friday.
Meanwhile, flu, cough, fever and sore throat cases in Ampangan rose 544 percent, Seremban 218 percent and Nilai 102 percent, he added.
He also said the Kuala Lumpur and Selayang hospitals were well prepared to receive additional patients especially those with asthma.