Nearly 69,000 respiratory infection cases reported in areas hit by Indonesian volcano's ash

Indonesia has recorded 68,919 cumulative cases of acute respiratory infections in areas affected by ash from the erupting Anak Krakatau volcano, health authorities said Thursday, reported Xinhua.

Health Ministry spokeswoman Widyawati said 17,780 cases were recorded on Sept. 8 alone across 23 districts and cities in four provinces affected by ashfall. Children aged five and under accounted for 14,439 cases, while 54,480 cases were recorded among those older than five, she said, reported Xinhua.

The Health Ministry said it was conducting health monitoring and public health campaigns in affected areas to reduce risks from prolonged exposure to volcanic ash. Anak Krakatau erupted again at 9:10 a.m. local time Thursday, according to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.

Authorities have urged visitors to stay at least 3 km from the active crater. Anak Krakatau, located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, has remained active since Sept. 4.