PUTRAJAYA, Oct 10 — Cases of upper respiratory tract infections rose 10.43 per cent, while conjunctivitis cases increased 26.47 per cent, according to haze-related disease monitoring at 78 selected Health Ministry (MOH) facilities nationwide.

In a statement today, the ministry said upper respiratory tract infection cases increased from 3,509 in Epidemiological Week (EW) 39 to 3,875 in EW40, while conjunctivitis cases rose from 102 to 129 over the same period.

The ministry said it would continue to strengthen surveillance of haze-related illnesses as exposure to polluted air could affect health, particularly among children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with lung or heart conditions.

As of 8 am today, 32 air quality monitoring stations across eight states and two Federal Territories recorded Air Pollutant Index (API) readings in the Unhealthy range of 101 to 200.