QALAT CITY (SW) – Health officials in Zabul province report a recent surge in the number of patients suffering from infectious seasonal illnesses at the provincial hospital.
With the onset of warmer weather, 700 cases have been recorded, most of which involve children.
Officials attribute the rise in seasonal illnesses to the hot weather, lack of adherence to health guidelines, and limited access to healthcare services.
Nazir Ahmad, the chief physician at Zabul’s provincial hospital, explained: “The number of patients with seasonal illnesses at the provincial hospital has increased. The patients are suffering from various seasonal ailments. Factors such as hot weather, contaminated water, drought, poor hygiene, and lack of healthcare services in some areas contribute to this increase.”
Mothers with children affected by these seasonal illnesses describe their children’s high fevers, which often require hospital admission. They urge health officials to focus on preventing these diseases.
Zarmina, a mother who have had their children hospitalized for a week, shared her experience: “My child has been sick for a week. He doesn’t drink milk and fell ill due to the hot weather. The doctors here are taking good care of our children.”
Health officials in Zabul identify the “Rota” virus as the main cause of the rise in seasonal illnesses. This virus, prevalent in hot weather, predominantly affects children, leading to severe fever, diarrhoea, and other seasonal diseases.
