(Oct 7): Air quality in the country continued to show improvements with only one area still with unhealthy air quality, even as the Health Ministry admitted that there was an increase in respiratory-related illnesses since country was blanketed in smoke.

The seaside town of Port Dickson recorded 101 on the air pollutant index readings taken at 1pm today while other areas in the country were either good or moderate.

Previously worst-hit areas like Shah Alam and Petaling Jaya had moderate readings at 74 and 67 respectively.

Most areas in Sabah and Sarawak also recorded good air quality.

Meanwhile, health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the number of cases involving respiratory-related illnesses has gone up since air quality began to drop last month.

"So far, we do have an increase in cases but overall no significant increase in the trend," he told The Malaysian Insider.

"This might be due to the precautionary and preventive measures taken and avoiding unnecessary outdoor exposure."

Putrajaya ordered schools to be closed on Monday and Tuesday after worsening smoke conditions led to air quality breaching the "very unhealthy" zone.

Several airports in the country were also forced to close while hundreds were affected from flight delays and cancellations due to the low visibility. – The Malaysian Insider