N. Sembilan To Continue Monitoring Haze-Related Illnesses - Aminuddin

SEREMBAN, July 23 (Bernama) -- The state government, through five sentinel health facilities under the Negeri Sembilan Health Department (JKNNS), will continue monitoring haze-related illnesses in Nilai, Seremban, and Port Dickson.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said JKNNS had recorded 305 haze-related cases as of last Monday, including six asthma cases requiring hospitalisation.

"However, current monitoring shows no significant increase in the trend of reported cases, and the overall Air Pollutant Index (API) readings have shown a downward trend since yesterday.

"Alhamdulillah, we are thankful that there has been rain in Negeri Sembilan, which has helped reduce the haze, and we hope for more rain in the coming days,” he told reporters after chairing the state executive council meeting here today.

Aminuddin, who is also Port Dickson MP, said there was currently no need for cloud seeding, though discussions might be held later if the situation worsened.

The country is currently experiencing haze, believed to be caused by open burning, following the detection of several hotspots in Sumatra, Indonesia, as reported by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).

Department of Environment director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar was reported today as saying that 66 out of 68 air quality monitoring stations across the country recorded moderate air quality levels as of 9 am.

He said the remaining two stations recorded good air quality.

Meanwhile, Aminuddin said dengue cases in the state were showing a stable trend, with 104 cases reported this week compared to 74 cases last week.

He said 25 active outbreak localities had been recorded so far, including four uncontrolled outbreaks and four hotspot localities requiring close monitoring.

-- BERNAMA