WHO issues warning on rising respiratory illness cases in Afghanistan

The World Health Organization has announced that since the beginning of January of this current year, more than 286,000 individuals have been afflicted with respiratory illness, among whom 668 have lost their lives.

Khaama: On February 24, the organization reported hundreds of deaths and infections due to respiratory illness across the country, coinciding with the onset of winter.

According to the World Health Organization, the increase in the number of individuals afflicted with respiratory issues is due to cold weather conditions, affecting mostly children.

Based on the organization’s report, over 63% of the patients are children under five years old, with nearly 50% of them being women.

Previously, the World Health Organization emphasized in a report that the average recorded statistics of respiratory illnesses in the country have increased compared to the same period in the years 2020 to 2022.

It is noteworthy that with the arrival of the cold season and increased air pollution, concerns regarding the spread of respiratory illnesses in the country have intensified.

Previously, thousands have also lost their lives due to acute respiratory illnesses in the country.

Amidst the heightened deportation of Afghan refugees from neighbouring countries like Pakistan, over half a million people are returning home to dire conditions, lacking food, shelter, water, and job opportunities.