KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13: With the current hot weather and haze affecting Malaysia, the public has been advised to take extra precautions, chiefly on staying well hydrated.
In a medical advisory issued today, Senior general practitioner Dr. Balachandran S Krishnan, said apart from the sufficient intake of water, people should also minimize prolonged outdoor activities, particularly during periods of high heat or unhealthy air quality. He also called for the use of an appropriate face mask when exposure to haze is unavoidable.
“Children, the elderly, pregnant women and individuals with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions should be particularly cautious. Monitor the Air Pollutant Index (API), remain in well ventilated or air-conditioned environments where possible, and seek medical attention if experiencing breathing difficulty, chest discomfort, persistent cough, dizziness or unusual fatigue.”
Prevention, adequate hydration and sensible limitation of exposure remain our best protection during this period, he added.
Apart from an unusually hot weather, parts of Malaysia have been also experiencing hazy days with high readings on the API brought on by the usual air contaminants as well as those emitted during fires that had taken place domestically of late as well as the current ones in the neighbouring countries.