Experts warn of monsoon health risks for kids

ISLAMABAD: Experts have urged parents to protect their children from contaminated water, poor sanitation, and stagnant ponds during this monsoon season to safeguard them from vector-borne diseases like cholera.
Dr. Ahmad Kabir, a known child specialist, emphasized the heightened vulnerability of children to water and vector-borne diseases during the monsoon, pointing out that water often gets contaminated during heavy rains and drinking it could be particularly hazardous for children’s health.
"Don’t let the monsoon rains become a recipe for disaster. Stay one step ahead of cholera and malaria to ensure your children’s safety and well-being," Dr. Kabir advised. "Be prepared, be proactive, and let the rains nourish our lives, not threaten them."
Dr. Kabir cited studies confirming that common monsoon infections, such as malaria and diarrhea, occur more frequently during monsoon season. 
He also highlighted the increased risk to tourists, noting the challenges in maintaining food and water hygiene while traveling, especially to endemic areas or forests.
He recommended a regimen of regular exercise and a diet rich in vitamins A and C, zinc, and probiotics to build immunity in both children and older adults. 
"Diarrhea, gastroenteritis, and other infections can largely be prevented by proper hand washing," he said. 
He suggested that consuming boiled and filtered water and storing warm food in covered containers can prevent diseases during the rainy season. Draining stagnant water and disposing of food waste can help prevent vector-borne diseases, Dr Kabir added.