The Ministry of Health (MOH) is monitoring a rise in acute upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) and conjunctivitis cases across Sarawak amid haze affecting parts of the state [1, 2, 3].
Data from the Sarawak State Health Department show average weekly URTI cases increased slightly from around 1,717 at the start of 2026 to 1,752 recently [1, 2, 3]. Meanwhile, weekly conjunctivitis cases rose from an average of 17 to 21 [1, 2, 3]. Despite the haze, overall asthma activity in Sarawak remains stable [1, 2, 3].
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib stressed the importance of readiness and vigilance. "MOH is constantly monitoring the current situation including the trend of patient arrivals at health facilities and we want to ensure that facilities and health workers are prepared in case of an increase in cases due to the haze," she said during a visit to Jalan Oya Health Clinic as part of the Borneo Health Tour Series 4 [1, 2, 3].
She advised that the public, especially at-risk groups such as children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory conditions, take precautions when air quality reaches unhealthy levels. "The public, especially at-risk groups such as children, the elderly and individuals with respiratory problems, needed to take precautions when the air quality was at unhealthy levels," Datuk Hanifah said [1].
MOH continues to monitor patient volumes at health facilities and maintain readiness to handle haze-related health issues in Sarawak [1, 2, 3].
The Ministry's next practical steps include ongoing surveillance of infection trends and ensuring frontline health workers are coordinated to respond as needed.
