According to a report by a private news channel, the Punjab Health Department has confirmed that Lahore, the provincial capital, has reported 248 new cases of pneumonia during the specified period.
So far this year, the largest province in the country has recorded 288 deaths and 17,248 cases due to pneumonia, with Lahore reporting 57 deaths and 3,151 cases. The recent increase in pneumonia-related deaths is concerning, with a total of 85 children losing their lives in the past week.
Health experts attribute the rise in pneumonia cases in Punjab to the winter season and air pollution, particularly smog, which has been identified as a significant factor contributing to the spike in pneumonia cases. Pneumonia, which is predominantly caused by viral infections, can range from mild to severe, with young children, especially those under five years old, being more susceptible to the disease.