Swine flu cases surge in Pakistan amid intensified flu season

KARACHI: The ongoing dry and cold weather has accelerated the spread of seasonal flu and related viruses across Pakistan, with health officials reporting a surge in cases.

According to a report presented by the National Institute of Health (NIH) in the National Assembly, five COVID-19 and 147 swine flu (influenza A) cases were confirmed in December and January. The COVID-19 patients include two each from Rawalpindi and Swat and one from Islamabad.

The NIH report said that samples of 1,724 patients were collected from 14 cities including Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Gilgit, Lahore, Peshawar, Karachi, Multan and Swat. Out of these:

• Seasonal Flu (Influenza B): 511 cases were confirmed, including 129 children.
• Swine Flu (Influenza A): 147 cases tested positive over the 1.5 months.
• Metapneumovirus: A rare respiratory virus, recently emerged in China, was identified in one patient.

Health experts have urged citizens to take preventive measures to combat the rapid spread of the respiratory virus, including vaccination, wearing masks, and maintaining hygiene.

Meanwhile, new cases of coronavirus were reported in Karachi on Saturday. Influenza and laryngitis were spreading rapidly in the city. Meanwhile, 30 percent of cases related to cough and fever at Dow Hospital tested positive for coronavirus.

“Coronavirus is already present in the society, these cases increase in cold weather,” claimed Professor Saeed Khan from the hospital. He has urged patients to take precautionary measures if they feel symptoms.