Health Minister States Daily ARI Cases in Areas Affected by Forest Fires Drop from 10,000 to 3,000

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin claims that the daily number of acute respiratory infection (ARI) cases in regions affected by forest and land fires (karhutla) has seen a decrease.

Budi stated that the number of ARI cases, which previously ranged from approximately 10,000 to 15,000 per day, has now dropped to around 3,000 cases daily.

"When it first became an issue, (ARI cases) were around 10,000 per day, between 10,000 and 15,000 people affected. Now it has decreased to about 3,000 cases (per day)," said Budi at a press conference at the Ministry of Health office in Jakarta on Thursday (22/10/2026).

He explained that the Ministry of Health continues to monitor the development of air quality and its impacts on public health in several regions affected by karhutla.

Based on this monitoring, the trend of ARI cases in several areas of Kalimantan has relatively decreased, especially in Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan.

"We can see the trend; if the trend in Kalimantan has relatively decreased, especially in Central and South Kalimantan. This is the impact on ARI cases. We count it daily. In Sumatra, it remains stable and has slightly increased," Budi noted.

To tackle this issue, the Ministry of Health has prepared several handling measures, including distributing masks and providing oxygen facilities and medications at community health centers (puskesmas).

Budi urged people in areas with high air pollution levels to limit outdoor activities.

If outdoor activities are unavoidable, the public is advised to wear masks.

"The best option is to stay at home. Do not go out if the conditions are poor. If you must go out, wear a mask," he said.