Indonesia records more than 170,000 respiratory cases in areas affected by wildfire haze, a Health Ministry official says. The figure is reported as the country continues efforts for weeks to control fires that produce toxic smog.
Outlets describe the haze as spreading across Indonesia’s large island network, with blazes in places including Borneo and Sumatra, and also affecting Papua. The resulting air pollution extends beyond Indonesia, with neighbouring Malaysia and Singapore also reporting worsening air quality. The haze includes fine particulate matter such as PM2.5, which contributes to respiratory problems. While reports focus on the same national case total and the ongoing fire response, they differ slightly in emphasis—some provide additional regional context and details about where fires are burning and which pollutants are present.
