In the past 24 hours, Punjab’s health department reported that pneumonia has resulted in the deaths of 18 children. This brings the total number of new pneumonia cases in the province to 870, with Lahore accounting for 177.
The current month has seen over 250 deaths due to pneumonia in Punjab, including 50 in Lahore alone. Health experts link the increase in cases and fatalities to environmental pollution, particularly smog, prevalent in winter.
Read: Pneumonia Crisis in Punjab: 13 More Children Dead, Total Reaches 233
Officials from the health department explained that the winter smog significantly contributes to the rise in pneumonia cases. Pneumonia, an infection of the lungs typically caused by viruses, often follows cold or flu symptoms and can vary in severity. It is most common in children under the age of five.
Punjab’s health authorities are intensifying efforts to manage the spike in pneumonia cases in response to this health crisis. They are focusing on raising public awareness and implementing preventive measures to control the infection’s spread.