Habi_ The Ministry of Health and Population affirmed that the current rates of respiratory diseases among children fall within the usual seasonal rates for this time of the year, pointing out that no unusual pattern or outbreak of croup has been monitored within schools or nurseries.
The Ministry explained in a statement that croup is not a new virus or a specific virus in itself; rather, it is an inflammation affecting the larynx and trachea, caused by common and well-known respiratory viruses, most notably the parainfluenza virus. It is a well-known seasonal disease that has existed for decades and recurs annually in various countries around the world during the autumn and winter seasons.
The Ministry stressed that croup differs from diphtheria, as the latter is a bacterial disease prevented by mandatory vaccination within the national immunization program, and there is no relation between the two diseases.
It added that croup primarily affects children from the age of 6 months to 3 years, and its occurrence decreases significantly after the age of five as the respiratory tract widens with the child's growth, making talk of its spread among school students scientifically inaccurate.
Regarding the epidemiological situation, the Ministry confirmed that it monitors respiratory diseases daily through the epidemiological surveillance system in all governorates, and has not detected any unusual pattern or outbreak within schools or nurseries.
The Ministry provided several tips for prevention and care, including continuous hand washing, using tissues when coughing and sneezing, keeping a sick child at home until recovery, along with ensuring good ventilation of rooms, adherence to mandatory vaccinations on schedule, and seasonal influenza vaccination for eligible groups.
It advised calming the affected child and giving them fluids, explaining that crying and anxiety may increase breathing difficulties. It also stressed not giving antibiotics without medical consultation, because the disease is viral and not treated by these antibiotics, while a doctor determines the appropriate, effective, and safe treatment.
The Ministry affirmed full coordination with the Ministry of Education and Technical Education to monitor the health status of students through school health teams, calling on citizens to obtain health information from its official sources and to contact the 105 hotline for inquiries.
