The sudden change of weather has caused a surge in seasonal ailments affecting children as well as adults, with the Paediatric Emergency in Al Sadd receiving as high as 955 cases on a single day, many of which were related with weather. The facility received a total of 955 cases on Monday, the second day of Eid, when the country experienced moderate to heavy rains, accompanied by strong cold winds. A similar rush was witnessed yesterday as well although exact figures were not readily available. The Paediatric Emergency normally receives an average of 500 cases daily but the number of visitors have doubled during the Eid Al Adha holidays, according to its director, Dr Khalid Al Ansari. The surge in the cases has been mainly attributed to the changing weather conditions. The temperature has plummeted remarkably over the past two days, leading to cold, fever and respiratory illnesses among people of all age groups. The closure of several primary health centres during the holidays has also contributed to the rush at all the emergency sections of the Hamad Medical Corporation including the Al Sadd facility. The Emergency Department at the Hamad General Hospital received more than 1,300 cases ona the first two days of Eid. Al Ansari said a number of children who sought treatment at the facility during the holidays had been affected with weather-related diseases such as common flu, cold, and respiratory problems. Direct exposure to the cold winds during visits to public parks and beaches has apparently caused a rise in such illnesses. Many children were also found to be suffering from viral infection and stomach disorders caused by unhealthy eating habits and poor hygiene. The official advised parents to ensure that their children wash their hands properly before and after meals. Several private physicians also said that they had noticed a sudden rise in seasonal diseases, not only among children, but also among adults over the past two days. “We have seen several cases of respiratory illnesses as well as viral fever among adults which is infectious,” a physician working with a poly clinic said yesterday. The Peninsula

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