About 1,000 children infected with smallpox in Baghlan

PUL-I-KHUMRI (Pajhwok): About 1,000 children were infected with smallpox during the past one month in northern Baghlan province, health officials say.

Dr. Najmuddin, a pediatrician at Baghlan Provincial Hospital, told Pajhwok that smallpox cases among children had surged this year compared to previous years.

“We had no such large number of children infected with smallpox in the past years. The number is high this year. However, the infectious disease is in its early stages, the number of infected children may increase.”

He said about 1000 children suffering from smallpox were hospitalized in districts and Pul-i-Khumri city during the past one month.

“Smallpox is a contagious disease, but it is not life-threatening and can be treated. The patient should not scratch the pimples because it can lead to skin damage and permanent scars.”

Bibi Mariam (not real name), a mother in the Baghlan provincial hospital, told Pajhwok that three of her children were infected with smallpox.

“My three children suffer from smallpox. They had fever initially, but now they have rashes. I took them to the district clinic, but they were not treated there. Now I have come here to the provincial hospital.”

Bibi Ayesha, another mother, told Pajhwok her daughter has been infected with smallpox for two days.

“I brought her here, but my two other children in the house also have fever and the children of our neighbors are also suffering from the same disease.”

Dr. Niaz Mohammad Akakhil, primary health care officer at Baghlan Public Health Department, told Pajhwok that public awareness programs had been launched about smallpox.

He said all clinics had medicines for treating the first stage of the disease. He also asked parents to observe hygiene and protect their children from this disease.

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