September 22, 2026 | 10:19 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia has recorded 174,694 cases of acute respiratory infections (ARI) in areas affected by forest and land fires since August 18, 2026, including 40,363 cases among children under five, according to the Health Ministry.
Then Suyanti, director of environmental health at the Health Ministry, said Tuesday that 4,533 ARI cases were still active based on the latest data.
“The data for today shows 4,533 cases. So the rest have recovered or returned to good health,” Then said at a press conference at the Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs office in Jakarta.
The affected areas monitored by the Health Ministry span seven provinces: Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan and East Kalimantan.
The ministry has taken measures to address health risks from the fires, including providing public health information and monitoring ARI cases in affected areas.
It has also strengthened health posts and hospitals by deploying medical equipment and supplies, including oxygen concentrators, oxygen cylinders and masks.
“We are mobilizing logistical assistance, including oxygen concentrators, masks and oxygen cylinders. We are also preparing community health laboratories to help test air quality and deploying reserve health personnel in districts and cities,” Then said.
The Health Ministry has also issued recommendations to local governments to consider distance learning as a measure to reduce children's exposure to wildfire smoke.
Then said the recommendation was intended to limit children's outdoor activities when air quality deteriorates because of smoke from forest and land fires.
The ministry is continuing to monitor air quality, ARI cases, the readiness of health facilities and the availability of medical supplies in affected areas.
The cumulative figure of 174,694 ARI cases was recorded between August 18 and September 21, with children under five accounting for 40,363 cases, according to the Health Ministry.
The ministry said health response and prevention measures would continue to reduce health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups, while forest and land fires and smoke exposure persist.
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