Flu outbreak: Emergency declared in KP hospitals

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s health landscape is grappling with a sudden surge in flu and cough cases, prompting the health department to declare a state of emergency in hospitals.

Over the past six months, a staggering 130,000-plus individuals have fallen prey to flu, colds, coughs, and chest diseases, triggering concerns of an epidemic.

The alarming spread has prompted health experts to emphasize the need for caution. While the onset of such illnesses is expected with the arrival of winter, the unchecked escalation raises parallels with the gravity of the coronavirus itself.

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The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa health department’s emergency declaration spans across 35 districts, reflecting the widespread impact, with over 130,000 individuals already affected.

In the face of this escalating health crisis, doctors are sounding the alarm, stressing the imperative of taking preventative measures akin to those employed to ward off the coronavirus.

According to an advisory issued by the health department, health facilities should stay alert for timely preventive and control measures as the seasonal influenza virus can cause mild to severe illness, particularly among high-risk individuals. The virus spreads from person to person through sneezing and coughing or touching contaminated surfaces.

The contagious nature of these respiratory ailments underscores the importance of early intervention and adherence to prescribed precautions, reinforcing the ongoing battle to safeguard public health in the region.