SPEAK OUT
By Sangeen Ali, Turbat Kech
Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is a dangerous disease which has spread all over the world. It has flu-like symptoms which can be transmitted easily. According to doctors, a person who is affected by this disease must keep themselves away from other people to control its spread.
According to a recent report, 130 people have died because of this disease. Recently, two cases of mpox were also found in Pakistan. Both of the patients had come from Saudi Arabia.
This major issue needs more focus from the government of Pakistan which needs to provide more facilities to hospitals in order to save the citizens of the country.
Sadia Muhammad Iqbal, Hirronk
Avian influenza, which is also known as bird flu, is a serious viral infection. It is not limited to only birds: humans and other animals can also be its victims. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), H5N1 was first discovered in humans in 1997 in Hong Kong. The disease has killed some of the infected ones and few were luckily saved.
The symptoms in humans include headache, muscle aches, diarrhoea, respiratory difficulties, fever (over 100.4F or 38C), malaise, runny nose, cough and sore throat. If one understands and knows the signs and feels any of the symptoms, they must visit a doctor because it is a disease like cancer which cannot be treated later on if not taken care of at the right time.
Some cases were reported in December 2022 in KPK and Islamabad and since then it has been spreading rapidly among birds, humans and plants as well. Birds are developing swollen heads, a blue colouration of the comb and wattles, lack of appetite, distress, diarrhoea, dullness, respiratory distress, and significant drop in egg production. In 2005, wild birds spread H5N1 to poultries in Africa, Middle East, and Europe and it was noted that birds die quickly after getting this disease.
Thus, the health department should look into this problem and come up with a solution so that the residents and wildlife are protected. These infections are increasing day by day, unfortunately; there is no facility to treat them. It is a request to the government to provide facilities in different areas of Pakistan, because without the government’s help, the disease cannot be controlled.