After vector-borne diseases, Karachi witnesses surge in pneumonia cases

• As many as 30 pneumonia cases being reported day: NICH official.
• Disease causes around 70,000 fatalities annually, reveals Dr Shafi.
• Children under two years of age,adults over 65 most vulnerable.

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KARACHI: After grappling with a rise in vector-borne diseases and viral illnesses, the country’s financial hub has now witnessed a surge in pneumonia cases due to changes in the port city’s weather.

As many as 30 cases of pneumonia are being reported daily, revealed the emergency in charge at the National Institute of Child Health (NICH). Whereas Civil Hospital’s Dr Imran Sarwar has said that around 15 to 20 pneumonia cases were being reported on a daily basis at the hospital.

The figures come after hospitals across the city reported an increased number of dengue, malaria, chikungunya and other viral infections.

According to the Sindh Health Department, at least 411 suspected cases of chikungunya were reported in Sindh with 153 among those confirmed after diagnosis, Geo News reported earlier this week.

At least 1,724 cases of dengue were reported in Sindh this year of which 1,484 were documented in Karachi alone. One death due to dengue fever was also reported in Sindh this year.

The health department stated that at least 2,22,239 cases of malaria were reported in Sindh this year with 1,768 diagnosed in Karachi.

Speaking to Geo News on increased pneumonia cases, Secretary General of the Pakistan Pediatric Association Dr Khalid Shafi said that pneumonia cases tend to increase during the months of October, November, and December.

Underscoring the availability of vaccines for certain types of pneumonia, Dr Shafi said that approximately 70,000 deaths occur annually in Pakistan due to pneumonia, with children under two years of age and adults over 65 being the most vulnerable.

Shedding light on pneumonia symptoms, he said that the disease often presents with a cough that produces green, yellow, or red mucus.

Other common symptoms include fever, sweating, chills, difficulty in breathing, and chest pain, especially when taking deep breaths or coughing, he added.