INDONESIA has recorded 277,075 cumulative cases of acute respiratory infections across seven provinces affected by forest and peatland fires, with children aged five and below accounting for more than 62,000 cases.
It’s Health Ministry said 62,400 cases, or 22.5% of the total, involved children aged between zero and five, as authorities intensified health monitoring in areas affected by smoke and haze.
“The data as of last Monday are being continuously monitored to detect any increase in cases while strengthening health preparedness in areas affected by forest and land fires,” said Aji Muhawarman, head of the ministry’s Bureau of Public Communications and Information, in a statement, according to IDN Times.
Aji said smoke from forest and peatland fires contained fine particulate matter known as PM2.5, which can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause various health problems.
Exposure to the smoke can trigger acute respiratory infections, coughing and breathing difficulties, while aggravating existing conditions such as asthma.
“Infants, children, pregnant women, older people and those with chronic lung diseases are among the groups most at risk of suffering health effects from exposure to smoke,” he said.
The ministry urged parents to remain alert to respiratory symptoms in children, particularly as air quality deteriorates because of the haze.
“If children experience breathing difficulties, rapid breathing or difficulty breastfeeding or drinking, take them to a healthcare facility immediately.
“The use of nebulisers must not be undertaken indiscriminately and should follow medical indications and instructions from healthcare professionals,” Aji said.
He also urged the public to reduce outdoor activities and wear N95 or KN95 masks when air quality worsened. - October 15, 2026