Respiratory infections common during cold season—doctors

By Patience Lunda:

As the winter season is at its peak in the country, the Society of Medical Doctors (SMD) has said chilly weather offers a favourable environment for respiratory tract infections, Covid inclusive, asking Malawians to tread carefully.

Some parts of the country have recorded temperatures as low as six degrees, a situation which would continue, according to the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services.

For example in Mzuzu and Lilongwe, temperatures as low as three and four degrees Celsius, respectively, were recorded in the week just gone by.

SMD President Victor Mithi said the country has started registering a surge in Covid cases partly because of weather conditions.

However, Mithi was quick to point out that most cases being registered in the country are imported from countries such as Zambia and South Africa.

“Many cases being registered in the country are imported but we, as medical practitioners, know that most respiratory tract infections favour the cold season more than the warm season and we are advising the general public to continue following Covid precautionary measures,” he said.

In a statement from the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services released on Sunday, its director Jolamu Nkhokwe said, due to the drop in temperatures, the general public should be alert.

Nkhokwe further advised people who are vulnerable to cold weather to be cautious and always checked on regularly.

“Those plying over the lake should continue to exercise utmost extra caution to avoid loss of life and property due to incursion of Mwera winds and the general public is being advised to wear warm clothing and to avoid frosty places which can lead to frostbite,” he said.