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NEW DELHI: In light of clusters of respiratory illnesses reported in children in specific regions of China, states are required to document all instances of severe respiratory conditions, namely Influenza Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI), at the district level.
This reporting mandate aims to enhance surveillance and monitoring efforts concerning serious respiratory ailments affecting children and adolescents, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the situation and facilitating prompt public health responses.
The specimens will be forwarded to sophisticated regional laboratories for examination to identify the microorganism responsible for the illness.
“This action is purely precautionary; currently, there are no alarming signs, but it is crucial to intensify vigilance. An existing surveillance system designed for monitoring respiratory illnesses related to Covid-19 will be employed for enhanced surveillance. As reiterated earlier, the risk to India remains low,” disclosed a senior official from the central government, speaking anonymously, as reported by Hindustan Times.
The health ministry has recommended that all states and Union Territories adopt the ‘Operational Guidelines for Revised Surveillance Strategy in the context of COVID-19,’ disseminated earlier this year. These guidelines encompass integrated surveillance of respiratory pathogens, presenting as instances of influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory illness.
In a written communication, Union Health Secretary Sudhansh Pant, urged states to ensure close monitoring of ILI and SARI trends by the district and state surveillance units under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP), with a particular focus on children and adolescents.
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Pant specified, “Data on ILI and SARI must be regularly uploaded on the IDSP-IHIP portal, especially from public health institutions, including medical college hospitals.
“States are also instructed to dispatch nasal and throat swab samples from SARI patients, particularly children and adolescents, to Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDLs) within the respective states for the examination of respiratory pathogens.”
He further emphasised, “The combined impact of implementing these precautionary and proactive collaborative measures is anticipated to effectively address any potential situation and ensure the safety and well-being of the citizens.”
As of mid-October 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been actively monitoring data from Chinese surveillance systems, revealing a rise in respiratory illnesses among children in northern China.
On November 13, China’s National Health Commission reported a nationwide surge in the incidence of respiratory diseases, primarily impacting children.
Chinese authorities attributed this increase to the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions and the onset of the cold season.
Additionally, the circulation of known pathogens such as influenza, mycoplasma pneumonia, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was identified as contributing factors. It’s noteworthy that mycoplasma pneumonia and RSV have a higher impact on children compared to adults.
While the WHO has sought additional information from Chinese authorities, the health ministry has emphasised in a prior statement that there is currently no cause for alarm.
As a preemptive action, the health ministry has initiated an immediate assessment of public health and hospital preparedness measures.
This evaluation encompasses the availability of human resources, hospital beds, influenza drugs and vaccines, medical oxygen, antibiotics, personal protective equipment, testing kits and reagents, the functionality of oxygen plants and ventilators, as well as infection control practises in health facilities.
