Accra:The Ministry of Health and Population has announced that respiratory illnesses among children remain within normal seasonal levels, with no unusual patterns or outbreaks detected in schools or nurseries. This statement follows media reports warning of the spread of croup among school students.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the ministry clarified that croup is not a new virus but an inflammation of the larynx and trachea caused by common respiratory viruses, especially parainfluenza. This seasonal illness has been known for decades and typically occurs worldwide during autumn and winter.
The ministry emphasized that croup is unrelated to the bacterial disease diphtheria, which is preventable through mandatory vaccination under Egypt's national immunization program. Croup primarily affects young children aged six months to three years and becomes less common after age five. Thus, claims that the illness is spreading among school students are scientifically inaccurate.
The ministry monitors respiratory illnesses daily through the national epidemiological surveillance system across all governorates. It advises the public to practice good hygiene, such as regular handwashing and using tissues when coughing or sneezing, to ensure proper ventilation and to keep sick children at home until recovery. The ministry also highlighted the importance of children receiving mandatory vaccinations on schedule and eligible groups receiving seasonal flu vaccines.
Additionally, the ministry recommended that parents keep children with croup calm and hydrated, as crying and anxiety can exacerbate breathing difficulties. Antibiotics should not be used without medical advice since croup is viral, and antibiotics are ineffective against it. Treatment prescribed by a doctor is both effective and safe.
The Ministry of Health and Population is working closely with the Ministry of Education and Technical Education to monitor students' health through school health teams. It urged citizens to obtain health information from official sources and to contact the 105 hotline for inquiries.