Two more children succumbed to Pneumonia in the past 24 hours, the officials in the Punjab health department confirmed. As many as 605 new cases of pneumonia took place within the last day. Among these, Lahore accounted for 177 fresh cases.
In Punjab, pneumonia-related deaths reached 318, with over 20,872 cases reported across the province. Lahore alone documented 58 deaths and 4,050 cases.
The common signs and symptoms of pneumonia include chest pain during breathing or coughing, confusion (especially in adults aged 65 and older, coughing with phlegm production, fatigue, fever accompanied by sweating and chills, below-normal body temperature (for adults over 65 and individuals with weakened immune systems), as well as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, and shortness of breath.
The health experts attribute the surge in pneumonia cases and fatalities in Punjab to environmental pollution exacerbated by winter smog.
Pneumonia, characterized by lung infection, is primarily caused by viruses and can intensify following symptoms of a cold or flu. Its severity can vary from mild to severe, with children under five years old being more susceptible.
The efforts are underway by health authorities in Punjab to address the rising pneumonia cases, underscoring the importance of public awareness and preventive measures to mitigate infection spread.