The Malaysian Health Ministry (MCH) has issued a health advisory in anticipation of hot weather with maximum temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius that is predicted to hit seven states and one union territory.
KKM Health Director-General DR Muhammad Radzi in a media statement accessed in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday said his ministry conducted monitoring from Epidemic Week (ME) 1 of 2024 to ME 9 and found a cumulative number of heat-related illnesses of 13 cases, of which four were heat stroke while nine were heat exhaustion.
Seven heat-related health cases occurred in Perak, five in Kedah and one in Sabah. And all of these health cases, according to him, were caused by physical activity outside buildings during hot weather.
Currently, there is one case of heat stroke that had to be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and one case of heat exhaustion admitted to the normal ward of Sultanah Maliha Hospital, Langkawi, Kedah. Meanwhile, 11 other people have received treatment and recovered.
Therefore, he said KKM reminded the public to take precautions during hot weather, especially during Ramadan. Plan outdoor activities and avoid peak hot weather times between 11am and 4pm.
KKM urges the public to maintain water intake of at least eight glasses per day, especially for those who are fasting, to regulate body temperature. Also, reduce drinking sugary, caffeinated and carbonated water as it is not good for body hydration.
KKM also advises people to frequently cool down their body temperature with fans, air conditioners or frequent showers.
Prolonged exposure to hot weather and not drinking enough water can adversely affect health, especially for high-risk groups such as children, the elderly, and people with chronic diseases.
He said symptoms of illness due to extreme heat start from headaches, fatigue, lack of concentration, dizziness, muscle weakness or cramps and nausea. More extreme conditions can lead to dehydration, confusion and coma.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department (METMalaysia) issued a heat advisory on Friday (Feb 29), and a number of states and regions were reported to be on Alert Level 1 with maximum temperatures reaching 35 to 37 degrees Celsius for three consecutive days.
The states include Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak, Selangor, Sarawak, Sabah, and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.
MET Malaysia also issued a Heatwave Warning Level 2 hot weather status for the Pokok Sena area in Kedah, with daily maximum temperatures may exceed 37 to 40 degrees Celsius for a minimum of three consecutive days.