The death toll from pneumonia reached 275 in Punjab during January on Tuesday. According to the Punjab health department, two cases of death were reported from Lahore, whereas four children succumbed to pneumonia each in Gujranwala and Bahawalpur.
In Mandi Bahauddin, pneumonia claimed the lives of two children. One child succumbed to pneumonia in Sheikhupura and Rawalpindi, respectively.
Moreover, 872 cases of pneumonia were reported during the past 24 hours. Out of which, 202 children contracted pneumonia in Lahore.
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The Punjab Health Department had urged the parents to ensure they protected their children from cold weather and stressed the need for vaccination to fight pneumonia.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, the Director of the Expanded Programme on Immunization in Punjab, highlighted the annual occurrence of pneumonia cases but noted that the current January has been exceptionally dry, with no rainfall reported so far.
The absence of rainfall in conjunction with the harsh cold weather is believed to have contributed to the increased incidence of pneumonia, underscoring the impact of environmental factors on public health challenges. Authorities emphasize the importance of recognizing and addressing weather-related risks to mitigate the impact on vulnerable populations, particularly children.
