Centre flags surge in China respiratory infections, 5 states on alert mode

Soon after the Centre’s directive to review preparedness in view of a surge in respiratory illnesses among children in China, five states have put their health infrastructure on alert mode. The state governments of Rajasthan, Karnataka, Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Tamil Nadu have asked hospitals and healthcare staff to ensure that they are adequately prepared to tackle patients complaining of respiratory ailments.

The Karnataka health department has also asked people to be aware of the seasonal flu. Listing the symptoms and risk factors of seasonal flu, the advisory also mentions dos and don’ts. These include covering the mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing, frequent washing of hands, avoiding touching the face, and using masks in crowded spots.

Rajasthan health department’s advisory indicated that the situation is “not worrisome at present” but the medical staff should keep watch and prevent spread of infectious diseases. It added that adequate arrangements should be made in paediatric units and medicine departments.

In Gujarat, health minister Rushikesh Patel said the healthcare infrastructure created during the COVID-19 pandemic was being strengthened as a precautionary step in view of the health crisis among children in China. The Gujarat government has asked government officials to review their readiness.

In Uttarakhand, the government directed health officials to step up surveillance for cases of respiratory illnesses. Three districts of Uttarakhand — Chamoli, Uttarkashi and Pithoragarh — share borders with China. A statement by the state health department said that while the state hasn’t reported any child pneumonia cases yet, officials have been asked to keep watch as a precautionary measure.

The move by the Uttarakhand government comes after the Union Health Ministry’s advisory to states, asking them to review preparedness to tackle any emerging situation. The Union Health Ministry has said the situation is not alarming, and it is closely monitoring it.

“All States and Union Territories have been advised to implement ‘Operational Guidelines for Revised Surveillance Strategy in the context of COVID-19’, shared earlier this year, which provides for integrated surveillance of respiratory pathogens presenting as cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory illness (SARI),” the ministry said in a statement.

The sudden spike in respiratory illnesses in northern China, particularly among children, has become a cause for concern four years after Covid-19 emerged in the country and went on to become a pandemic that changed the world.

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Sohini Sarkar