LAHORE: An alarming surge has been witnessed in pneumonia cases in Lahore as emergency wards and outpatient departments (OPDs) at hospitals were crowded with patients.

Patients with chronic conditions and children were also falling prey to respiratory disease due to weak immunity with the advent of the winter.

Punjab Public Health Reference Lab Head Dr Husnain Javed said that viral and bacterial pneumonia cases were continuously rising in the provincial capital due to smog, dry and cold weather.

 He pointed out that people with weak immunity due to chronic cardiac, kidney and liver diseases or diabetes could easily contract the respiratory disease in cold weather.

He said that the major cause of increased cases was undiagnosed influenza and COVID-19 cases. Dr Javed urged citizens to immediately consult doctors and receive treatment after having respiratory issues.

He added not only in Pakistan, influenza and COVID-19 cases were also increasing across the globe after the arrival of the winter season which was the mutation of pneumonia.

Interim Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare and Population Welfare Dr Jamal Nasir told Geo News that smog was an additional factor for the increased respiratory diseases. He confirmed that the number of pneumonia cases was higher than the previous year.

Health experts also warned of an acute rise in pneumonia cases among elderly people and children. They suggested plenty of rest, warm beverages, steam baths or the use of humidifiers in houses for air moisture and timely consultations with doctors.

Pakistan is amongst 13 countries across the globe where pneumonia spreads every year