What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
NEW DELHI: Several states, such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Haryana, and Tamil Nadu, have put their healthcare infrastructure on alert following the central government’s directive to assess readiness due to a rise in respiratory illnesses, particularly among children, observed in China.
The Karnataka Health Department has additionally released guidance advising citizens to stay informed about seasonal flu and related illnesses. The advisory notes that seasonal flu is an infectious disease with a typical duration of five to seven days, characterised by low morbidity and mortality rates.
Nevertheless, it presents an elevated risk to infants, the elderly, pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems, and those on prolonged medications like steroids, potentially necessitating hospitalisation. Symptoms encompass fever, chills, malaise, loss of appetite, myalgia, nausea, sneezing, and a persistent dry cough lasting up to three weeks in high-risk populations.
The health department of Rajasthan has also urged its medical personnel to maintain heightened awareness and establish rapid response teams. The state’s health department advisory directs relevant officials to formulate an action plan for the prevention and treatment of the ailment.
Also Read: Centre mandates States to monitor respiratory illness clusters in children
During a video conference with officials, Shubhra Singh, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Rajasthan Health Department, conveyed that the current situation is not alarming. However, she emphasised the importance of medical staff working diligently with heightened vigilance for surveillance and the prevention of infectious diseases throughout the state, as per an official statement.
Singh instructed officials to draft an action plan within three days to address the prevention and treatment of the particular disease. Additionally, she urged the appointment of nodal officers at the district and medical college levels and the establishment of rapid response teams at the division and district levels.
Guidelines on this matter have been issued by Uttarakhand Health Secretary, Dr. R Rajesh Kumar. He has instructed medical teams to closely monitor symptoms of pneumonia and influenza, particularly in children. Given that three districts of Uttarakhand—Chamoli, Uttarkashi, and Pithoragarh—share borders with China, heightened vigilance is emphasised.
In Gujarat, a circular from the government has mandated all hospitals to maintain a state of alert. Rakesh Joshi, Superintendent of Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, mentioned that state-run hospitals are actively preparing, taking into consideration the mysterious virus spreading in China.
The Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine in Tamil Nadu has issued an alert to step up surveillance for respiratory illnesses in the state. Apart from intensifying disease surveillance, the health department has been instructed to enhance facilities for managing patients.
In Haryana, the health department has issued a directive, emphasising the immediate reporting of any “clustering of unusual respiratory illness” in public or private hospitals.
Medical colleges and hospitals, including private facilities, have been urged to report cases of severe acute respiratory illness, acute respiratory illness, or influenza-like illness in the IDSP-IHIP portal.
The Directorate of Health and Family Welfare Services in Puducherry has advised strict adherence to wearing face masks in public places. According to the Puducherry health department, based on the current situation and available data, there is no abnormal increase in respiratory diseases.
Individuals with chronic diseases are recommended to seek assistance at the nearest health facility if they experience symptoms such as fever, runny nose, cough, and difficulty breathing.
These developments follow the issuance of an advisory by the Centre to states and Union territories, urging an immediate review of public health and hospital preparedness measures.
The Union Health Ministry, in its advisory on Sunday, mentioned that the current situation is not overly alarming, emphasising close monitoring.
“In view of the recent reports indicating a surge in respiratory illness in children in northern China in recent weeks, the Union Health Ministry has proactively decided to review the preparedness measures against respiratory illnesses, as a matter of abundant caution. This is noted to be important in view of the ongoing influenza and winter season that results in an increase in respiratory illness cases. The government of India is closely monitoring the situation and indicated that there is no need for any alarm,” stated the ministry.
The Union Health Secretary has also communicated with states and Union Territories, advising them to promptly review public health and hospital preparedness measures.
