New Flu Variant Raises Fears of a Severe Flu Season in Pakistan
The recent outbreak of a new strain of influenza being tracked by health agencies in Pakistan and internationally is causing a great deal of concern about another possible major outbreak of flu. The early symptoms, such as increased cases of flu like illness and hospitalization, are also indicative of a possible stronger outbreak than has been seen lately. The coming winter season and increasing cases of respiratory illnesses are also pointing towards what could be a difficult flu season for the country.
In Pakistan, influenza is often overlooked since many people regard it as an annual illness. This is despite the fact that various health professionals assure citizens that the flu is an extremely contagious viral disease that causes life threatening complications, especially among children, senior citizens, pregnant women, or persons with chronic medical conditions. The recent development of another variant of the flu further fuels these concerns since genetic variations within the flu may make it more contagious, thereby affecting persons who may have already considered themselves immune.
As per estimates, flu viruses keep on undergoing natural changes every year, but some of these changes can impact the virus differently. The latest strain that has been discovered has shown some genetic differences that could impact immunity from past infections. Therefore, even those who had flu last year might still get affected this year. Although research is still being conducted, early statistics indicate that this strain might be spreading faster in various areas, resulting in an increased total infection.
In Pakistan, the cases of flu are known to increase during winter. However, doctors in major cities including Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad are already seeing patients with flu symptoms such as high fever, cough, sore throat, and body aches. An early start in flu cases means the flu season will hit for an extended period since flu patients will seek early treatment.
One such major issue regards the degree of immunity in the population. Within the previous years, there may have been a decreased natural degree of immunity resulting from changed behavior patterns and reduced exposure to the prevalent viruses. This implies an increased susceptible population. Together with the highly infectious strain, it may provide the perfect conditions for large outbreaks, especially within the urban settings.
Vaccination is the most effective method for the reduction of the risk of severe influenza, while awareness and uptake for influenza vaccine in Pakistan are low. Even many people are unaware about the availability of seasonal influenza vaccines, or they think that they do not need the vaccine. This has been emphasized by many health scientists, people can avoid the risks by influenza vaccines, although they may get the infections, however the complications can effectively be ignored by the vaccines, specially when new strains are prevalent.
There are also questions about how well this flu season’s vaccine will be able to perfectly correspond with the current flu virus going around. Flu shots are formulated well in advance, based on flu information around the world. Should the flu virus mutate in some unforeseen way, flu shot effectiveness could be impacted. However, one must still adhere to flu shot recommendations, as often times it can be what keeps a flu case from becoming fatal.
Some of the most affected people by the fluinclude children. According to pediatricians, influenza has been known to cause complications such aspneumonia, dehydration, and even deaths, especially among children in years when there was a poor flu season,and most of the deaths were recorded among un vaccinated pediatric kids. Parents should keep a close eye on flu symptoms in case of breathing problems, high fever, and abnormal sleep among their children.
Pregnant women also have increased risks of complications from the flu. Flu infection happening within pregnancies may result in complications including preterm births and some cases of severe respiratory infections. According to health experts in Pakistan, flu vaccine administration during pregnancies is safe and can also help prevent newborn infections within the early months of life. Given the emergence of the new variant, it is even more essential to undertake this preventative measure.
Older people, in addition to those with certain medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, asthma, and kidney disease, are also likely to contract this flu. In fact, this flu can exacerbate some of these conditions, resulting in a prolonged stay in the hospital. Medical experts encourage older patients to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms of flu.
The community is also facing another challenge concerning the co circulation of various respiratory viruses. Influenza seasons usually co circulate with COVID 19 and RSV. These diseases may cause symptoms that resemble each other. This may lead to a higher severity of the disease in vulnerable populations. Healthcare professionals have emphasized the need for early diagnosis and treatment.
The Pakistani healthcare system, like all others, is also facing challenges of overpopulation, understaffing, and increasing number of patients, especially during winter. The rising rate of cases due to a bad outbreak of influenza can add to the difficulties that Pakistani hospitals, especially those that are public, are already facing. Preventing the spread of infection is one of the best ways to combat this challenge.
Simple preventive practices have not lost their importance in controlling the spread of flu. Hand washing regularly, practicing avoidance techniques for people with flu infection, covering coughs and sniffles, and staying away from work or school when sick can be very helpful. Use of masks in congested environments when flu is at its peak can be a good way to save oneself as well as the community.
Rumors and misconceptions still hinder the prevention of the flu. Some individuals feel that the flu vaccine causes illness or that the flu vaccine is not required. This information has been disputed by health professionals who offer the following information: The flu vaccine does not cause the flu. The flu vaccine has been used successfully for many years. The flu is not merely a nuisance that accompanies a particular season. The flu is a deadly disease that kills thousands of people annually.
In an economy, a bad flu season can have severe repercussions, as sick individuals will miss work, leading to a loss of productivity and increased medical bills for families. Students may also miss school, and employers may have to deal with labor shortages. The repercussions associated with a bad flu season form the basis of why keeping people healthy from the flu can be a concern for economies as well as a concern for people’s health. Disease surveillance is an important tool for the identification of new strains of the flu virus and informs the public health response. There are national and international disease surveillance systems used in Pakistan to monitor trends related to the flu virus. Noticing new strains informs the adjustment of guidelines and readiness of health facilities. This process alone cannot ensure the required effects without the help of the public. Experts recommend staying calm yet cautious. Although it’s still premature to forecast the magnitude of this season’s flu attack, it has already raised alarming trends that warrant taking precautions at an early stage. Preventing the disease by getting immunized, observing symptoms at an early stage, and taking preventive measures could go a long way in controlling the disease. Conclusion:
In light of the emergence of a new variant of the flu, there are genuine concerns regarding the possibility of a bad flu season in Pakistan. With a rise in cases early on, accompanied by lower rates of immunization and higher population density, it becomes a testing time. Flu can never be underestimated. Through proactive efforts in prevention, seeking prompt care, and being informed, much can be done to prevent flu and protect the vulnerable. The coming days will be very testing in determining how effectively Pakistan will be able to tackle the growing health threat.
