Indonesia Reports 400,000+ Respiratory Cases From Wildfires
Indonesia's Ministry of Health reports over 400,000 acute respiratory infections caused by forest and land fires, with toddlers among the hardest hit.
Portal Islam 
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Kemenkes (Indonesia's Ministry of Health) has recorded a cumulative total of 401,586 cases of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) across seven provinces and 63 regencies and cities due to forest and land fires. According to reports by the state news agency ANTARA, this figure was recorded as of November 2, 2026.
As reported by Republika and CNN Indonesia, citing ANTARA on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, Ministry Spokesperson Widyawati explained that this total includes an additional 3,906 new cases based on monitoring data up to 4:00 PM WIB (UTC+7) on the afternoon of November 2. This surge continues to climb as thick smoke from ongoing fires remains unextinguished in the field.
Vulnerable Groups and Toddlers Bear the Brunt
Behind the thousands of respiratory cases, vulnerable groups dominate health monitoring records. Ministry data shows that 91,913 cases occurred among toddlers aged zero to five years. This figure places young children as those suffering the most severely from the heavy air pollution.
In addition to toddlers, the ministry recorded 87,704 cases affecting children aged six to nine, and 56,092 cases among the elderly aged over 60. Intensive monitoring is also being provided to physically vulnerable groups requiring extra care, which includes 590 pregnant women, 1,530 asthma sufferers, and 8,086 outdoor workers.
Regional Distribution and Field Response
Demographically, the regions with the largest affected populations include Banjarbaru in South Kalimantan, Pekanbaru in Riau, and Pontianak in West Kalimantan. Daily case dynamics across these regions have fluctuated; in Riau Province, infections surged to a peak of around 23 new cases in a single day.
Meanwhile, daily cases in West Kalimantan reached a high of six cases, while South Kalimantan recorded between zero and four cases per day at healthcare facilities. To assist affected residents, the ministry has ensured the ready availability of oxygen support, such as setting up oxygen centers in Riau.
The ministry has also urged the public to safeguard their health amid the heavy smoke. Exposure to smoke and dust particles can cause eye irritation, prompting officials to advise residents against direct exposure and to avoid rubbing their eyes if they feel sore or itchy.
An Islamic Perspective on Facing Calamities and Protecting Health
As Muslims, facing calamities such as forest fires and the accompanying haze requires patience, social concern, and proactive efforts to protect the health of oneself and one's family. Preserving life and physical well-being from harm is an essential part of the public benefit (maslahah) taught in our religion.
وَاَنْفِقُوْا فِيْ سَبِيْلِ اللّٰهِ وَلَا تُلْقُوْا بِاَيْدِيْكُمْ اِلَى التَّهْلُكَةِ ۛ وَاَحْسِنُوْا ۛ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِيْنَ ﴿١٩٥﴾
And spend in the way of Allah and do not throw [yourselves] with your [own] hands into destruction [by refraining]. And do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good.
Qur'an, Surah Al-Baqara [2]: 195 (Sahih International)
In the spirit of humanitarian solidarity, this disaster also calls upon us to extend a helping hand to ease the burdens of our brothers and sisters, especially vulnerable toddlers and the elderly who are most susceptible to illness resulting from this natural disaster.
