MULTAN – An outbreak of seasonal influenza has taken 14 lives so far in Multan city of Punjab with concerned quarters struggling to contain the epidemic.
Nishtar Hospital’s focal person for infectious diseases, Dr Irfan Arshad said that 35-year-old Zakiya hailing from Muzaffargarh was a suspected seasonal influenza patient who breathed her last at ICU on Wednesday evening adding that she was the third patient who belonged to Muzaffargarh and died at Nishtar.
“Fazlan Bibi and Azeem were also from the same city,” he informed.
On the other hand, Punjab Health Department spokesperson in Multan Dr Attaur Rehman claimed that the deceased were already suffering from another disease besides Influenza.
Furthermore, eight more patients suspected of having contracted the virus were hospitalised in the last 24 hours including three doctors from Nishtar Hospital Multan.
To curtail the virus, a team of specialist doctors arrived in the city earlier this week, and is deployed at Nishtar Hospital while a massive influenza vaccination drive has also been launched.
Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif has already taken notice of the epidemic directing the relevant authorities to take all possible measures for its prevention. He also advised them to organise awareness campaign regarding the illness.
Seasonal influenza spreads through contact with the bacteria discharged by an infected person’s coughing and sneezing. Pregnant women, senior citizens, and children are most vulnerable to the disease.
