Indonesia Fires Haze Update: 2 Die in Malaysia, Spreads to Southern Thailand Provinces
The haze triggered by forest fires in Indonesia has killed at least two in Malaysia, its next-door neighbour. The smog, which likewise severely affected the quality of air in Singapore, another next-door neighbour, has crossed boundaries to affect some of Thailand's southern provinces.
According to Kuala Lumpur's Sun newspaper on Wednesday, two Malaysian senior elderly had died early this week due to the choking smog.
The first casualty was identified as 51-year-old Li Cai Ling, an asthmatic woman. The second was 62-year-old Yu Sheng Ye, who died from complications the smog haze gave to this pulmonary fibrosis. Both were residents of the southern town of Muar in Johor, Malaysia which experienced severe air pollution last weekend.
Mr Yu's wife said her husband have had sporadic bouts of breathing difficulties since being diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis two years ago. But his condition became critical on Thursday.
Despite staying indoors, keeping the doors and windows of his house shut as well as limiting himself to an air-conditioned room, Mr Yu complained of shortness of breath. His wife said he even put on an oxygen mask to avoid the thick haze.
His wife vividly remembers his last words, "I am suffering because of the smog, it will soon kill me!"
Mr Yu was admitted to hospital on Thursday. He died Monday morning, two days after going into a coma.
"He wanted the heavens to open up, but the rain never came," she said.
The first casualty, asthmatic-cum-diabetic housewife, Li Cai Ling, died also in the early hours of Monday at the Muar Hospital. Medical staff said she succumbed to a cerebrovascular accident, or stroke, which could have been caused by an asthma attack triggered by the haze.
Smog Haze Reaches Thailand
Provinces in southern Thailand are now also experiencing the wrath brought about by the illegal burning of forests in Indonesia. The smog haze has gone over to affect residents of Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala, Songkhla and Satun.
Although the smog had not yet reached a level harmful to public health, it has nonetheless reached a medium- to high-level alarm, Deputy Premier Plodprasop Suraswadi said. Hardest hit so far was Narathiwat, where airborne micro particles already measured 129 microgrammes per cubic metre on Tuesday, from just 104 microgrammes per cubic metre on Monday.
Residents have been warned to wear masks and self-monitor their health closely, especially the young, the elderly, and those with respiratory tract illnesses. Masks have been stockpiled in each province's health office, anytime ready for distribution.
The Department of Pollution Control expects the haze in the lower portion of Southern Thailand will intensify within the next 2-3 days, notably in Narathiwat, Yala, Songkhla and Satun.
Read more:
From Mask to Helmet, Hailstorm Pounds on Singapore, No Relation to Cloud Seeding Over Indonesia
Indonesia Humbles Itself Before Singapore, Malaysia, Says Sorry For The Smoke Haze Caused By Raging Forest Fires
Singapore Air Pollution: Citizens Improvise Amid Dwindling Surgical, Gas Masks
Smoke Haze From Indonesia Forest Fires Moves Away from Singapore, Now Hangs Over Malaysia
Residents in Singapore, Malaysia Flock Hospitals, Clinics for Rising Number of Illnesses, Ailments Due to Smog
