ISLAMABAD: While mercury has fallen across the country, the National Institute of Health (NIH) has issued a travel advisory for the prevention of influenza and other respiratory infections.

The advisory also talks about influenza-like illness (ILI) and respiratory syncytial virus which are caused by influenza.

“Flu viruses are continuously changing/mutating with a likelihood of emergence of new flu viruses every year. This makes influenza a difficult disease to control with varying extent of spread, timing, severity, and length of the season. However, an upsurge of cases in Pakistan is usually been observed in winter season. The flu cases increase as temperature falls during December to February,” it stated.

“The ILI cases are observed to be higher in Islamabad specifically due to various reasons ranging from weather instability (dry cold) which causes low precipitation and increased tourism to northern and from northern areas via Islamabad despite satisfactory surveillance of influenza,” it stated.

The objective of the advisory is to alert and sensitise all travellers regarding the ILI situation in country, especially Islamabad.

Also, to alert and sensitise points of entry and healthcare workers to be vigilant in the detection of any suspected case who is travelling to and from any area where the ILI cases have been reported and to strengthen and improve the level of preparedness for prevention, control and management of influenza-like illness.

Influenza is easily transmitted through coughing or sneezing and its symptoms include the abrupt onset of fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, and fatigue.

Published in Dawn, January 10th, 2024