In the wake of persistent severe cold weather, spread of viral diseases like chickenpox, measles, chest infection and influenza among children is on the increase. According to doctors, the extreme chilly weather has badly disturbed the immunity system of the young ones. Hence, the kids are more vulnerable to viral diseases. The doctors say that there is 20 per cent increase in viral infection among the kids this winter as compared to what was experienced in January and February last year. In view of the increased cases of viral diseases among children throughout the country, the Federal govt has instructed all the provincial Health Departments to launch a countrywide campaign to check the spread of these viral diseases. The provinces have also been directed to administer vaccination to the children so as to protect them from viral diseases caused due to the severe cold weather, and for this purpose around 30.5 million children would be given vaccination across the Punjab province. The health experts and doctors believe that it was harsh cold weather, continuing for the last one month, which has badly disturbed the immunity system of the children. This change in the weather has caused spread of viral widely as well as bacterial diseases in the City. The viral and other disease included chickenpox, measles, chest infection, high fever, cough, gastroenteritis, flu, nasal allergy, asthma, and soar throat. Due to these diseases, influx of the patients has increased manifold. The doctors said the diseases like chickenpox, flu with cough and high temperature are among the top in comparison to the other viral diseases which are on the increase. The Children Hospital's Director Emergency Dr. A.J Samdhani said due to the severe chill in weather, infection rate increased by 15 per cent in the month of January and February in comparison to the same period of last year. Most of the children visiting the hospital complained about chickenpox, measles and asthma. It is all due to severe cold and ignorance of the children's parents about chilly weather consequences. They are not taking proper care of their children in this chilly weather, he said. During investigations, the carelessness of the parents in protecting children from cold weather has been confirmed, he said.