The deadly toll of pneumonia. “The most serious cause of death”

Pneumonia remained the world's leading infectious cause of death last year, killing about 1.23 million people, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday in its annual report.

WHO estimates that 10.7 million people were infected with pneumonia last year: 5.8 million men, 3.7 million women and 1.2 million children.

The number of pneumonia deaths decreased last year compared to 2023 by 3%, and infections themselves were 2% lower.

– Budget cuts and persistent epidemic factors threaten to undo this hard-earned progress, but with political commitment, investment support and international solidarity, we can reverse the trend and eliminate this ancient scourge once and for all, said Tereza Kasaeva, head of the HIV, pneumonia, hepatitis and sexually transmitted diseases division at WHO.

Since 2020, the amount allocated to the fight against pneumonia has remained stable and amounted to USD 5.9 billion last year (for prevention, diagnosis and treatment). This amount is much lower than the needs, estimated at USD 22 billion. per year until 2027

Pneumonia is a curable disease. They are caused by bacteria transmitted through droplets when a sick person sneezes, coughs or spits. (PAP)

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