JAKARTA, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia is intensifying monitoring of acute respiratory infections linked to forest and land fires, after recording 277,075 cumulative cases across seven affected provinces as of Oct. 12, health authorities said Wednesday.
Among the reported cases, 62,400, or 22.5 percent, were recorded in children aged 0 to 5 years, according to Aji Muhawarman, head of the bureau of communication and public information at the Ministry of Health.
He said the data were being closely monitored to detect any surge in cases and to strengthen the overall health response.
The ministry, together with local governments, has stepped up disease surveillance, healthcare service readiness, and medical supply distribution. As of Oct. 12, a total of 2,106 medical personnel had been deployed, and more than 2.8 million face masks had been distributed across central and regional government channels, Muhawarman said.
He advised the public to limit outdoor activities when air quality worsens and to wear face masks if going outside. ■