Malaria, other seasonal diseases hit capital

After the recent rains, malaria epidemic and other seasonal diseases like flu as well as throat and skin infections have spread all over the capital as over 1,000 patients have to visit government hospitals’ emergencies and OPDs daily. Many suspected dengue patients are mostly suffering from malaria. On the other hand, the number of patients suffering from seasonal flu is also alarmingly increasing.
Seasonal flu or influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It spreads from person to person and can cause a mild as well as a severe illness.
Dr Sharif Astori, spokesman for Polyclinic, a government hospital, told Pakistan Today that nearly 1,000 to 1,200 patients suffering from seasonal diseases like malaria and various infections such as throat, chest cough and skin, daily visit emergency ward and OPD of Polyclinic. “A majority of them are children and older ones who are more sensitive towards any seasonal outbreak,” he said. He pointed out this was a yearly outbreak of seasonal flu and malaria usually happened after the monsoon season. He said that people of any age who had chronic medical conditions like diabetes, asthma, congestive heart failure, lung disease also needed precautions.
Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Deputy Executive Director Dr Zulfiqar Ghauri, when contacted, said total 17 dengue suspected patient were received of whom nine were admitted and only two were dengue positive. “Patients of seasonal diseases like dengue, malaria and flu visit the PIMS daily and the administration is fully prepared to handle the situation,” he said.
Child Specialist Dr Mushtaq Khan of Ali Medical Centre said he received 8 to 10 kids suffering from malaria daily as after the rainy season this outbreak was expected. PIMS Social Welfare Director Dr Waseem Khawaja said, “If this influenza is not treated at time it can cause complications like throat, chest infections, bacterial pneumonia, ear or sinus infections and dehydration.”
He advised people to avoid a close contact with others, especially pregnant women, young children and infants as they might eas1ily get flu.
He also urged them to clean hands with soap and water. While highlighting the symptoms of seasonal flu, Dr Waseem said one could feel the symptoms like sudden fever, dry, chesty cough, headache, tiredness, chills, aching muscles, limb or joint pain, sore throat, runny or blocked nose, sneezing, loss of appetite, and difficulty in sleeping.