Punjab’s health department has reported the demise of 12 more children in the past 24 hours due to pneumonia. The victims, all aged between one month to four years, succumbed to the respiratory illness in various cities across the province.
The latest statistics reveal a grim picture, with three casualties each in Gujranwala and Bahawalpur, two in Rawalpindi, and one each in Lahore, Faisalabad, Shaikupura, and Rahim Yar Khan. In the past week alone, Punjab has witnessed a staggering 76 deaths attributed to pneumonia, indicating a concerning escalation of the situation.
The health department’s data discloses a surge in pneumonia cases, with 1077 new infections reported in Punjab over the last 24 hours. Notably, Lahore bears the brunt of the outbreak, contributing 251 cases to the alarming tally.
The overall death toll among children due to pneumonia in Punjab has now reached a distressing figure of 220.
Pneumonia, characterized by symptoms such as cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and breathing difficulties, poses severe consequences, especially for the vulnerable young population.
Health specialists are urging caution, particularly advising parents to keep children and elderly individuals indoors during freezing temperatures. They emphasize the importance of protective measures such as wearing warm clothes and maintaining a healthy diet to ward off cold-related illnesses. With the alarming rise in pneumonia cases, public awareness campaigns and preventive measures become crucial in curbing the spread of the disease.
