Climate

Experts warn of long-term health risks as Indonesia’s wildfire haze takes a growing toll

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 02/11/2026, 08:39:24 UTC.

Briefings

Experts warn of long-term health risks as Indonesia's wildfire haze takes a growing toll. A 20-month-old child in Balikpapan developed pneumonia from smoke exposure, while a 14-month-old baby in Samarinda died suddenly from shortness of breath. Health risks extend to those fighting the fires, with acute respiratory infections reported in hospital wards. The air quality index reached 'unhealthy' levels in Balikpapan, prompting families to limit outdoor time for children.

Key points

• A 20-month-old child in Balikpapan, Indonesia, developed pneumonia after exposure to smoke from wildfires, diagnosed with an infiltrate in the upper left lung.
• A 14-month-old baby in Samarinda, Indonesia, died suddenly from shortness of breath, with the family suspecting the thick smog enveloping the city as the cause.

Context

Indonesia's East Kalimantan province experienced severe wildfires in October 2026, resulting in high air quality indices reaching 'unhealthy' levels. Families reported acute respiratory infections and hospital admissions for toddlers struggling to breathe, highlighting immediate health risks from the smoke.

Limitations

Evidence covers only two specific cases: one child with pneumonia and one infant death. No data on total number of affected children, long-term health effects, or broader regional health statistics is provided. The report does not include information on fire intensity, smoke dispersion models, or government response measures.

Generated by Bittrees-hosted qwen35-2b sha256:aaf42c8b7c3c on 02/11/2026, 08:43:24 UTC. Based on publisher-provided feed evidence; may not cover the full original article. Check the source for details.

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