RAWALPINDI:
A sharp increase in cases of influenza and respiratory diseases has been observed in Rawalpindi as severe cold weather grips the city and overwhelms health centres. Patients complain of cough, fever and difficulty breathing.
Children and the elderly are reported to be the most affected groups. Health experts attribute the increase to the prevailing dry, cold conditions and lack of rainfall, which promotes the spread of seasonal flu, cough, fever, chest irritation and respiratory problems.
Rawalpindi District Health Authority continues to maintain strict surveillance of influenza A(H3) with constant and strict monitoring of cases of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) and influenza-like illness (ILI).
According to the health authority’s epidemiological data, the overall situation remains fully under control. During the month of December, 22 suspected cases related to severe respiratory disease were screened, of which only four were confirmed positive. All confirmed patients recovered completely after treatment.
Under the Health Ministry’s Rapid Response Protocol, 18 close contacts were traced, with only one secondary case testing positive, indicating that transmission has remained limited.
