1. States, including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, have heightened healthcare readiness in response to the Centre’s directive.
2. Karnataka Health Department issued a citizen advisory on seasonal flu, highlighting its infectious nature and typical durations of five to seven days.
3. Concerns arise due to a surge in respiratory illnesses, especially among children, in China, prompting increased vigilance and preparedness in Indian states.
Beijing, Nov 29: Several states, including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, have heightened their healthcare infrastructure readiness following the Centre’s directive to assess preparedness in response to an increase in respiratory illnesses, particularly among children, in China.
The Karnataka Health Department issued a citizen advisory regarding seasonal flu, emphasizing its infectious nature with typical durations of five to seven days. While usually associated with low morbidity and mortality rates, seasonal flu poses higher risks for specific demographics such as infants, the elderly, pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals, and those on long-term medications like steroids.
Symptoms include fever, chills, malaise, loss of appetite, myalgia, nausea, sneezing, and a dry cough that can persist for up to three weeks in high-risk groups.
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In Rajasthan, the medical and health department recommended heightened vigilance and the formation of rapid response teams. The advisory instructed officials to devise action plans for preventing and treating the disease.
Additional Chief Secretary Shubhra Singh stated during a video conference that the current situation is not worrisome, but medical staff should maintain full vigilance for disease surveillance and prevention across the state. An action plan for prevention and treatment, the appointment of nodal officers, and the formation of rapid response teams were among the directives.
Uttarakhand Health Secretary Dr. R Rajesh Kumar issued guidelines for medical teams to monitor pneumonia and influenza symptoms in children. The Gujarat government ordered hospitals to remain on alert, with preparations underway in state-run hospitals in consideration of the mysterious virus spreading in China.
Tamil Nadu’s Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine urged the health department to enhance surveillance for respiratory illnesses in the state and strengthen facilities for patient management.
Following the Centre’s advisory, the Union Health Ministry emphasized that the situation is currently not alarming but requires proactive preparedness. The ministry closely monitors the situation and has advised states and Union territories to review public health and hospital preparedness measures.
In a letter to states and UTs, the Union Health Secretary recommended implementing the ‘Operational Guidelines for Revised Surveillance Strategy in the context of Covid,’ focusing on integrated surveillance of respiratory pathogens presenting as cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory illness (SARI).
