BANGKOK – The Department of Disease Control (DDC) has issued a warning over health concerns affected by haze in Indonesia, blanketing seven provinces of Thailand in smoke, including Yala, Phuket, Songkhla, Narathiwat, Satul and Pattani.
The thick smoke posed by forest fires in Indonesia spreading over the south of Thailand has deteriorated the air quality, possibly causing eye problems, along with respiratory tract and skin illnesses, as well as potential heart and circulation damage to those living in the region.
The warning lays stress on vulnerable groups – patients with chronic lung diseases, coronary heart disease, the elderly, children and pregnant women. These groups are warned to avoid outdoor activities and are urged to wear masks and not to store rainwater for drinking.
Serial alerts and situation reports will be issued, the DDC says. For further inquiries, the DDC can be reached at 1422
