PARIS — Pneumonia is the world’s deadliest child killer, with a “forgotten epidemic” claiming one young life every 39 seconds, international health and children’s agencies warned on Tuesday. The disease is preventable but still kills more children—800,000 under the age of 5 last year—than any other infection, they said in a statement to mark World Pneumonia Day. “Strong global commitment and increased investments are critical to the fight against this disease,” the statement said. ADVERTISEMENT“This is a forgotten global epidemic that demands an urgent international response,” said Kevin Watkins, chief executive of Save the Children UK. In January, the agencies will host world leaders in Spain at the first ever Global Forum on Childhood Pneumonia.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer November 12, 2019 20:30 UTC