KUALA TERENGGANU: Three cases of heatstroke and two of heat exhaustion have been reported in Terengganu as of April this year.
Terengganu Health Department (JKNT) director Datuk Dr Kasemani Embong said the cases involved five individuals from high-risk groups, comprising schoolchildren, East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) workers, military personnel and senior citizens.
She said so far no deaths were reported due to the hot weather, and various efforts were being made to create awareness of the dangers of the hot weather and heatstroke.
“According to the Malaysian Meteorological Department, the districts of Besut, Setiu, Dungun and Kemaman districts are at Level 1, which is the alert level experienced for maximum temperatures of between 35°C and 37°C for three consecutive days, while the Hulu Terengganu, Marang, Kuala Terengganu and Kuala Nerus districts recorded daily maximum temperatures of between 32°C and 34°C.
“JKNT advises the public, especially those in high-risk groups such as the elderly, students, pregnant women, babies, patients with chronic illnesses, and workers on duty outdoors, to always be vigilant and take appropriate health measures,” she said when met at the JKNT’s Aidilfitri get-together here yesterday.
In another development, Dr Kasemani said four patients who were hospitalised due to food poisoning on April 28 were discharged after making a full recovery.
However, the JKNT is still investigating the cause of the incident and whether there were also others who had food poisoning.
“Five patients who experienced diarrhoea and vomiting are suspected to have eaten kuih ketayap bought at Pasar Bukit Payong (in Marang).”
Meanwhile, the Air Pollutant Index (API) recorded at 11am yesterday showed unhealthy air quality in Rompin, Pahang, due to peat fires in the area.
The Environment Department (DOE) director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar said 35 areas nationwide reported good air quality, while 29 areas reported average air quality.
He also said the volcanic eruption of Indonesia’s Mount Ruang in North Sulawesi on April 30 has not affected the air quality in Malaysia.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) issued thunderstorm warnings for heavy rain and strong winds for seven states and all three federal territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan, reports HO JIA WEN.
The affected states are Perak, Selangor, Pahang, Negri Sembilan, Johor, Sarawak and Sabah.
Areas hit by storms are Larut, Matang and Selama; Kuala Kangsar, Kinta, Kampar, Batang Padang and Muallim in Perak; Cameron Highlands, Bentong, Pekan and Rompin in Pahang; Kuala Selangor, Hulu Selangor, Klang, Gombak, Petaling, Hulu Langat and Sepang in Selangor; Jelebu, Seremban, Kuala Pilah, Rembau and Tampin in Negri Sembilan; as well as Tangkak, Segamat, Muar, Batu Pahat, Kluang, Mersing, Kulai and Kota Tinggi in Johor.
The affected areas in Sarawak are Samarahan, Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei, Sibu, Kapit, Miri and Limbang while in Sabah, the areas are Sipitang, Tenom, Kuala Penyu, Beaufort, Keningau, Tambunan, Papar, Putatan, Penampang, Kota Kinabalu, Ranau and Sandakan.
Met Malaysia issued the statement at 3.55pm yesterday.
