Five Indian States On Alert After Centre's Directive On Surge In Respiratory Infections Among Children In China

Following a directive from the Centre to review readiness due to a rise in respiratory illnesses among children in China, at least five states have heightened their health infrastructure alertness.

The state governments of Rajasthan, Karnataka, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, and Tamil Nadu have instructed their hospitals and healthcare personnel to ensure they are prepared to handle patients with respiratory complaints.

The health department of Karnataka has urged residents to stay vigilant about the seasonal flu. The advisory, which outlines the symptoms and risk factors associated with the flu, also provides guidelines on prevention.

These recommendations include covering one's mouth and nose during a cough or sneeze, washing hands regularly, refraining from touching the face, and wearing masks in densely populated areas.

The health department of Rajasthan has issued an advisory stating that while the current situation is not cause for alarm, medical personnel must remain alert to prevent the proliferation of infectious diseases.

The advisory also recommended that sufficient provisions be made in both pediatric units and medicine departments.

Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel has stated that the healthcare infrastructure, which was developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, is being fortified as a precautionary step due to the situation in China. The state government has urged its officials to assess their preparedness.

The government of Uttarakhand has instructed health authorities to intensify monitoring for instances of respiratory diseases. The three districts of Chamoli, Uttarkashi, and Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand, share boundaries with China.

The state health department has announced that although there have been no reported cases of child pneumonia within the state, they have instructed officials to remain vigilant as a preventative measure.

Following the advisory from the Union Health Ministry to states, urging them to assess their readiness to handle any forthcoming situations, the Ministry has clarified that the situation is not cause for alarm. They are, however, keeping a close watch on developments.

"All States and Union Territories have been advised to implement 'Operational Guidelines for Revised Surveillance Strategy in the context of COVID-19', shared earlier this year, which provides for integrated surveillance of respiratory pathogens presenting as cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory illness (SARI)," the ministry said in a statement.

The surge in respiratory illnesses cases in northern China, particularly among children, has sparked concern four years after Covid-19 emerged in the country and went on to become a pandemic that changed the world.

However, according to Chinese health officials, the increase in infections is a combination of previously identified viruses and is associated with the country's first complete cold season following the relaxation of stringent Covid restrictions last December, as reported by news agency AFP.