"Closely Monitor Outbreak": Union Health Ministry On Rising Pneumonia Cases In China
The Union health ministry has decided to closely monitor the health situation in its neighboring country China and proactively review preparedness measures against respiratory illness. The ministry has advised the States and Union territories to immediately preview public health and hospital preparedness measures, reports ANI. The measures includes, availability of human resources, hospital beds, drugs and vaccines for influenza, medical oxygen, antibiotics, personal protective equipment, testing kit and reagents, functionality of oxygen plants and ventilators, and infection control practices in health facilities.
The health ministry has issued advisories to all states and Union territories on Sunday. The directive encompasses the implementation of the “Operational Guidelines for Revised Surveillance Strategy in the context of Covid-19”. District and state surveillance are instructed to closely monitor trends in influenza like illness(ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI).
But the health ministry has confirmed that the situation is at control and is closely monitoring the situation now. They have also assured that there is no need for alarm as of now. The increased vigilance is due to the sudden rise in respiratory illness, primarily attributed to common causes like Influenza, Mycoplasma pneumonia, and SARC-Cov-2. The data of the ILI/SARI is required to be uploaded on the IDSP-IHIP portal particularly from public health institutes including medical collage hospitals. The ministry has also asked the states to send nasal and throat swab samples of patients with SARI, particularly of children and adolescents, to Virus and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDL”s) located in the States for testing for respiratory illness.
The concern has risen globally as the outbreak of the H9N2 virus and mysterious pneumonia affecting children grips China. Over 1200 children have been reported affected in a day, resulting in school closures and widespread concern. “As per WHO, the release of Covid-19 restrictions coinciding with the onset of winter season in addition to the cyclical trend of respiratory illnesses such as Mycoplasma pneumonia have led to this surge,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, China”s National Health Commission spokesperson Mi Feng said on Sunday that the increase in sudden respiratory illness was linked to the simultaneous circulation of several kinds of pathogens, most prominently influenza. The state of Council, China”s cabinet on Friday has said that influenza would peak this winter and spring, while mycoplasma pneumonia infection would remain high in some areas and the council has also warned of the risk of a rebound in Covid infections.
