KUALA LUMPUR – The Health Ministry has reported a total of 45 heat-related ailments as of April 13, amid the ongoing high temperatures across the nation.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan said the biggest illness was heat exhaustion, with 33 reported cases, while heat strokes and heat cramps reported 11 and one cases, respectively.
This was a large leap compared to the ministry’s report on March 1, where it recorded four heat stroke and nine heat exhaustion cases since January.
The cases were mostly reported in Perak and Kedah, with eight cases each, while other states included Selangor (six), Johor (five), Negri Sembilan (five), Pahang (five), Sabah (four), Perlis (two), Penang (one), and Kelantan (one).
“Cumulatively, two deaths due to heat strokes were reported. The first case was a 22-year-old male, and the second was a three-year-old boy in Kelantan,” Radzi said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Radzi said four cases were still undergoing treatment, involving one heat stroke case in an intensive care unit (ICU), while the remaining three – two heat stroke and one heat exhaustion case – were treated in general wards.
“The case treated in the ICU involves a 24-year-old male who was brought to the Port Dickson Hospital on March 10 and was transferred to Tuanku Jaafar Hospital’s ICU on April 5,” he said.
The ministry advised the public to continue safety measures to ensure sufficient hydration levels and to minimise vigorous physical activities during the hot spell.
In light of the Aidilfitri celebration, it is also recommended that people avoid being exposed to hot weather, rest more often, and do visitation activities during non-hot periods or at night.
According to the Meteorological Department, Pokok Sena, Kedah, was reported to be at Warning Level 2 as of April 13, where heat waves reached maximum daily temperatures of over 37°c for at least three consecutive days in the area.
Other locations in Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak, Kelantan, Pahang, Sarawak, and Sabah, were at Warning Level 1, with maximum temperatures reaching between 35°c and 37°c for three consecutive days – April 14, 2024