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New Delhi: Amidst the increase in pneumonia cases in China, the Center has advised the states to review the preparedness of hospitals. The Health Ministry has decided to proactively review respiratory disease preparedness measures in view of the increasing cases of this ‘mysterious disease’ in China. States/UTs were advised to immediately review public health and hospital preparedness.
All States/UTs will implement the ‘Operational Guidelines for Revised Surveillance Strategy in the context of COVID-19’. The increase in respiratory illness is mainly due to common causes like influenza, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, SARS-CoV-2. The Health Ministry is closely monitoring the situation. The ministry said that there is no reason to panic in this.
Based on currently available information, the incidence of respiratory diseases has been reported to be increasing in China over the past few weeks. Common causes of respiratory illness in children have been reported and no unusual pathogens or any unexpected clinical factors have been identified. A case of avian influenza in the country has been reported against the backdrop of a human case of H9N2 (avian influenza virus) in China in October 2023. A meeting was recently held under the chairmanship of DGHS to discuss preparedness measures to avoid human cases.
The overall risk assessment by the World Health Organization shows that the likelihood of human-to-human transmission is low and the mortality rate among human cases of H9N2 reported so far to WHO is low. The need to strengthen surveillance and improve coordination between human, animal husbandry and wildlife sectors was stressed. The Health Ministry has made it clear that India is prepared to deal with any kind of public health emergency.
India is launching a One Health approach to adopt a holistic and integrated roadmap towards tackling such public health issues.
