Banjarbaru handles 58 cases of pneumonia, not all due to karhutla

Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The Health Office of Banjarbaru City, South Kalimantan, is currently handling 58 pneumonia patients, not all of them were caused by smog from forest and land fires (karhutla).

"During the second week of August, 58 pneumonia cases were handled and they did not cause death," said Head of Banjarbaru Health Agency Juhai Triyanti Agustina here, Friday.

The 58 pneumonia patients who were treated by medical staff of community health centers (puskesmas) suffering symptoms of fever, chill, and difficulty breathing, and all of them were in good condition.

Juhai expounded that the patients who were sticken with acute respiratory infections (ISPA) were part of cases of sufferers in August 2023, the number of which has yet been recapulated.

"The total number of residents infected with ISPA has not been recapulated because the schedule is at the end of the month and the total number will be known," she said, accompanied by Head of P2P (Disease Prevention and Control) Erni Syafrida.

She emphasized that pneumonia and ISPA suffered by residents of Banjarbaru, especially in areas that are frequently hit by forest and land fires, are not only caused by smog from fires.

Juhai explained that a number of factors causes ISPA (or ARI) ranging from allergies to being susceptible to cough and cold due to viruses or bacteria, including smog that spread in the air.

"This means that ISPA/ARI that a number of Banjarbaru residents are currently suffering is not solely due to smog from karhutla, it could be other factors due to allergies due to viruses or bacteria," she said.

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Based on the data of the Banjarbaru Health Office, the number of ISPA case handled by 10 community health centers (puskesmas) in January was 2,203 and increased to 2.873 in February.

It was still high in March reaching 2,869 cases, then in April 2,158 cases and in May getting higher to 2,883 cases.

In June fell slightly to 2,713 cases and in July it fell again to 2,603 cases, while cases in August still recorded.

"If you look to the trend of cases, an increase occur in May, while in June and July it actually decreased, so it cannot be ascertained that all cases area due to karhutla smog," she said.

All medical officers in 10 puskesmas are on alert to serve quickly and accurately the people who come with complaints of ISPA, so it does not get worse.

"In addition officers (we also) alerting facilities and medicines, including masks. We also appeal to the public to limit activities outside the house, especially when smog apears around," said Juhai.

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