Jakarta, Oct. 22 -- The Indonesian Ministry of Health has recorded a cumulative 333,470 cases of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) linked to forest and land fires across several affected regions.

The ministry's Director of Environmental Health, Then Suyanti, said in Jakarta on Thursday that daily cases remain high, with 4,522 new infections reported.

"Special attention is being focused on vulnerable groups, including children, older adults, pregnant women, people with asthma or COPD, and outdoor workers," she said.

She explained that based on the latest Air Pollutant Index, air quality in several areas has reached hazardous levels, particularly in six provinces prioritized in fire management: Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimant...