RAWALPINDI:
Rawalpindi has seen a sharp rise in cases of flu and respiratory illnesses as bitter cold grips the city and overwhelms health facilities. Patients complain of cough, fever and breathing difficulties.
Children and the elderly are reported to be the most affected groups. Health experts attribute the increase to the prevailing conditions of drought, cold and lack of rain, which favor the spread of seasonal flu, cough, fever, chest irritation and respiratory problems.
The Rawalpindi District Health Authority continues to maintain rigorous surveillance of influenza A(H3), with constant and strict monitoring of cases of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) and influenza-like illnesses (ILI).
According to epidemiological data from health authorities, the general situation remains completely under control. During the month of December, 22 suspected cases related to serious respiratory diseases were detected, of which only four were confirmed positive. All confirmed patients recovered completely after treatment.
Under the Department of Health’s Rapid Response Protocol, 18 close contacts were traced and only one secondary case tested positive, indicating transmission remains limited.
