376 ISPA Cases Recorded in Pekanbaru Due to Forest and Land Fire Haze
The Pekanbaru City Health Office (Dinkes) has recorded 376 cases of acute respiratory infection (ISPA) caused by the impact of haze from forest and land fires (Karhutla) since early August 2026. The hundreds of respiratory illness cases are spread across the city and have received medical treatment at various health facilities throughout Pekanbaru.
Head of the Disease Prevention and Control Division (P2P) at the Pekanbaru Health Office, Edi Satriawan, said that the majority of recorded patients experienced non-pneumonia ISPA symptoms. He confirmed that most residents complained of health problems including coughs, colds and sore throats.
“Only nine people had pneumonia, the rest were non-pneumonia,” said Edi Satriawan on Thursday (20/8).
He explained that the number of ISPA cases handled in the previous month was much higher. In July 2026, local medical service centres treated 5,325 ISPA cases, also dominated by the non-pneumonia category.
“Meanwhile, only 20 cases of pneumonia-category ISPA were recorded in July,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pekanbaru Mayor Agung Nugroho reminded all levels of society to increase vigilance against the impact of exposure to forest and land fires. Agung explained that the El Niño phenomenon has contributed to hotter and drier urban air temperatures than usual.
Daily air temperatures in Pekanbaru are reported to reach 32 degrees Celsius during this climate phenomenon. Given these geographical conditions, the local government is encouraging residents to prioritise preventive measures to maintain their physical condition.
“Because dry and hot temperatures are increasing, people must maintain their health, that is the main thing,” he said.
He explained that anticipatory steps can be taken by limiting the intensity of outdoor activities while air quality conditions in Pekanbaru remain fluctuating.
“This appeal is expected to reduce the number of respiratory illness sufferers amid the threat of haze and extreme weather,” he concluded.