Indonesia reports 175,000 respiratory infections as wildfires continue

Indonesia has recorded about 175,000 cases of acute respiratory infections since August in areas affected by forest and land fires, the country’s Health Ministry said.

Health Ministry spokesman Berton Panjaitan told Anadolu Agency that 175,000 cumulative cases had been reported across 63 affected districts in six provinces between August 18 and September 21. Children under five accounted for 40,363 of the cases.

Fires spread across Sumatra and Kalimantan

The wildfires have continued for months, with dry weather since June worsening their spread across Sumatra and Kalimantan.

Indonesia has deployed 64 aircraft and 54,394 personnel to fight the fires since August, state-run ANTARA news agency reported, citing government figures.

Japan joins firefighting efforts

Japan has sent three CH-47 Chinook helicopters and about 180 military personnel, including helicopter crews and support staff, to help conduct water-bombing operations in Kalimantan, Indonesia’s Defense Ministry said.

The Japanese equipment was transported aboard the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force vessel JS Kunisaki. Japan’s Defense Ministry said on Monday that the vessel had also moved off Ketapang in Kalimantan, enabling firefighting operations from two locations.

The fires have produced widespread haze and deteriorating air quality in Indonesia. Smoke has also affected neighboring Malaysia and Singapore.