A number of 52 children died last year in Moldova because of pneumonia. Forty-nine children were aged between 0 and 5, with 36 of these being younger than one. Specialists warn that pneumonia in the Republic of Moldova is a serious public health problem with rather high morbidity and mortality rates, especially among children younger than five, the National Public Health Agency has said in connection with World Pneumonia Day  that is observed on November 12, IPN reports.

According to the Agency, this day is at its eleventh edition. Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of deaths caused by pneumonia has risen considerably.

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that is usually caused by bacteria or viruses. Globally, pneumonia causes more deaths than any other infectious disease.

Pneumonia is the single biggest infectious killer of adults and children – claiming the lives of 2.5 million, including 672,000 children, in 2019. Children under five years old and adults over 70 years make up 75 percent of pneumonia deaths. Most pneumonia deaths occur in low and middle-income countries.

The COVID-19 pandemic could add another 1.9 million to the total number of deaths this year. This will contribute to an over 75% increase in the number of deaths caused by pneumonia.