Government of India issued emergency preparedness letter to the states and union territories to proactively battle the emerging health situation of pneumonia cases among children in china. Government told to the states and union territory to reassess and prepare public health measure and hospital preparedness for any kind emergency situation. At present Health Ministry is closely monitoring situation and there is no alarming situation in India.
All states and UTs advised to implement Operational Guidelines for Revised Surveillance Strategy in the context of COVID 19 which provides for integrated surveillance for respiratory pathogens presenting as Influenza cases and severe acute respiratory illness. With the bold statement Government has asked to keep surveillance among Children and Adolescents.
Union Health Ministry has advised states and UTs to immediately prepare public health measures like availability of beds in the hospitals, drugs, vaccines of influenza, medical oxygen, antibiotics, personal protective equipment, testing kits and reagents, functionality of oxygen plants and ventilators and infection control practices.
States also asked to send the nasal and throat samples of severe acute respiratory illness patients to Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories ( VDRL’s) located in particular state to find out the respiratory pathogen.
The cumulative effect of these proactive measures will help to counter any potential health situation and ensure safety of the citizens.
China health ministry recognises increase in respiratory infections which urged them to increase fever clinics since easing COVID 19 restrictions. Last week World Health Organization raised concerns as increase in pneumonia cases in the children in China and requested then to give more information about the respiratory illness.
The Union Health Ministry closely monitoring the situation and at present there is no alarming situation about the illness in India but preparedness is essential to avoid major health concerns in the future.
