Dry, cold weather intensifies spread of seasonal flu, related viruses across country: NIH

The ongoing dry and cold weather has intensified the spread of seasonal flu and related viruses across Pakistan, reported 24NewsHDTV channel. 

According to a report presented by the National Institute of Health (NIH) to the National Assembly, five COVID-19 and 147 swine flu (Influenza A) cases were confirmed in December and January. The affected COVID-19 patients include two each from Rawalpindi and Swat, and one from Islamabad. The NIH report detailed that 1,724 patient samples 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 adopt preventive measures, including vaccination, wearing masks, and maintaining hygiene, to combat the rapid spread of respiratory viruses. 5 cases of corona and 147 cases of swine flu have been reported across the country. 

According to the report, samples of 1724 patients from 14 cities across the country came to NIH and the seasonal flu virus was confirmed in 511 patients. According to a report during the last month and a half, 147 patients tested positive for influenza (A). 5 corona patients and 147 swine flu patients tested positive.

The meta-pneumovirus that emerged in China was also found in one patient. In the country, 129 children tested positive for influenza (B) and 82 children tested positive for respiratory virus. The samples were sent from Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Karachi. Samples were sent from 14 locations including Gilgit, Multan and Swat.