Shehbaz Sharif takes notice of influenza cases in Multan

MULTAN: Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the spread of influenza in the province Sunday morning, a day after seasonal influenza (also known as ‘flu’) took four lives in Multan.

Shehbaz issued directives that all possible measures for the prevention of influenza should be taken and advised the relevant authorities to organise awareness campaign regarding the illness.

Moreover, the Punjab health department informed that as many as 18 people have been diagnosed with influenza in Punjab. Influenza has claimed ten lives so far, it added.

On Saturday, four people in Multan died after contracting seasonal influenza.

About 22 people were reported to have contracted influenza in December alone.

Health Department Spokesperson Dr Attaur Rehman said that the patients who have died were already suffering from other diseases, and influenza only worsened their health condition.

Statistics revealed by the Health Department show that more than 35 patients were diagnosed with this disease at the Nishtar Hospital, Multan.

The symptoms of this disease include a continuous cough, running nose, vomiting, joint pain, fever and others. Pregnant women, senior citizens, and children are considered to be most susceptible to the disease.

In 2016, about 74 people were reported to have contracted with influenza, of which eight could not survive. Nishtar Hospital had formed an isolation ward for people suffering from influenza to restrict the spread of the contagious diseases.