KARACHI, June 20: The cases of diarrhoea and cholera among children have been increasing with the surge in temperature during the last few days and vulnerability of children to the bacteria causing the diseases.

About 30 per cent of those admitted to paediatric wards of local hospitals comprise children up to five years of age suffering from the ailments.

Dr S. Mohammad Afaq of National Institute of Child Health said that since hot and humid climate, currently experienced in Karachi, particularly favoured the organisms of E. Coli and Vibrio Cholera, a surge in the instances of diarrhoea and cholera was observed.

“Rain aggravates their growth and spread, therefore June, July and August are particularly known as the diarrhoea season,” he said.

The pattern reflected the combined affects of declining maternally acquired antibodies, lack of active immunity in the infants, ingestion of contaminated water or food and direct contact with infected faeces, he said.

He said diarrhoea was a major cause of illness and death among children in developing countries, including Pakistan, and its incidence was highest in the age group of six to 11 months. He said children below two years of age, of those countries, might spend 15 per cent of their life with diarrhoea.—APP