Medical News: What’s Going On In Pakistan? Various Media Reporting That 240-250 Children Died From Mysterious Pneumonia In Punjab In Last 28 Days!
Medical News: While I am no fan of Pakistan and Pakistanis after getting scammed by numerous Pakistani IT 'specialists' found on Fiverr, I am concerned when hear that children are involved.
Numerous media In Pakistan and even in India are reporting that thousands of children in Punjab province in Pakistan and even in its main city in Punjab i.e. Lahore are being stricken by a mysterious pneumonia infection. Some are speculating that a new SARS-CoV-2 variant could be at play.
New SARS-CoV-2 variant have arrived?
According to
Medical News coverages by various media outlets in Lahore, the mysterious pneumonia outbreak has claimed the lives of more than 240 children in the past 28 days. The severity of the situation is underscored by the fact that 18 additional children succumbed to the disease in the last 24 hours alone, bringing the total number of deaths to 258. The surge in pneumonia cases is particularly alarming, with 942 reported cases across Punjab, and the provincial capital, Lahore, witnessing 212 new cases.
The Disturbing Trend
Over the past four days, the death toll has seen an alarming increase, with 60 children losing their lives. The situation unfolded as follows: 14 deaths on January 24, 12 on January 25, 13 on January 26, and 7 on January 27. Today, on January 28, it was reported that an additional 18 children have reportedly succumbed to pneumonia. This concerning trend has prompted health experts to investigate the root causes and implement measures to control the outbreak.
Environmental Factors and Pneumonia
Health experts in Punjab attribute the surge in pneumonia cases to the prevailing winter season and the associated air pollution, particularly smog. Smog, a consequence of air pollution, has been identified as a significant factor contributing to the spike in pneumonia-related deaths. The current scenario raises questions about the impact of environmental conditions on public health and the need for urgent intervention to address the root causes of the outbreak.
Pneumonia and Its Causes
Pneumonia is a serious respiratory infection characterized by inflammation in the lungs, often caused by viral or even bacterial infections. The symptoms can manifest after exposure to cold or flu viruses and even COVID-19, and the severity of the condition can range from mild to severe. Young children, especially those under the age of five, are particularly susceptible to the disease. The health authorities in Punjab are grappling with the challenge of understanding and containing the outbreak.
Government Response and Awareness
According to the Punjab Health Department, a staggering 942 new pneumonia cases were reported across the province in the last 24 hours, with Lahore alone confirming 212 new patients. The month of January alone has witnessed 240 pneumonia-related deaths in Punjab, with Lahore recording 50 fatalities. In response to the crisis, health department officials have emphasized t
he role of environmental pollution, especially smog during winter, as a significant contributor to the rise in pneumonia cases.
Health authorities are working tirelessly to address the surge in pneumonia cases, highlighting the critical importance of public awareness and preventive measures to curb the spread of the infection. The signs and symptoms of pneumonia include chest pain during breathing or coughing, confusion or changes in mental awareness (especially in adults aged 65 and older), coughing that may produce phlegm, fatigue, fever, sweating, shaking chills, and lower than normal body temperature (especially in adults older than age 65 and individuals with weak immune systems).
Conclusion
The unfolding pneumonia outbreak in Punjab, claiming the lives of over 240 children, demands urgent attention and coordinated efforts from the government, health authorities, and the public. The link between environmental factors, particularly smog, and the spike in pneumonia cases underscores the need for comprehensive measures to address air pollution and protect the vulnerable population, especially children. Public awareness campaigns and preventive strategies are crucial to mitigating the impact of the outbreak and preventing further loss of lives in the region.
Some of the Pakistani media coverages are as follows: (note all the figures quoted varies!)
https://arynews.tv/18-more-children-succumb-to-pneumonia-in-punjab/ (this one says 250 deaths)
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2024/01/27/pneumonia-outbreak-kills-over-240-children-in-punjab/
https://www.samaa.tv/208738805-seven-more-children-succumb-to-pneumonia-in-punjab-amid-cold-spell
https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/asia/2024/01/25/pneumonia-outbreak-kills-hundreds-of-children-in-pakistan/ (this one says 220 deaths)
https://www.app.com.pk/national/deadly-pneumonia-outbreak-claims-lives-of-18-more-children-in-punjab/
https://www.suchtv.pk/health/item/124101-deadly-pneumonia-outbreak-claims-lives-of-18-more-children-in-punjab.html (this one also says 250 deaths)
Some of the India media coverages of the situation are even more exaggerated with quoted figures that seems fake. But note that all of these sites including the Pakistani ones are all approved as Google News sites!
https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/pakistan-18-children-die-of-pneumonia-in-punjab-due-to-freezing-cold/107011545
https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/pneumonia-outbreak-kills-over-240-children-in-pakistan-s-punjab-in-january-124012700715_1.html
https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/international/2781859-pakistan-18-children-die-of-pneumonia-in-punjab-due-to-freezing-cold
Thailand
Medical News will be providing more updates once we can really secure some official figures and data from the health authorities in Lahore.
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Medical News, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
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