Mumbai: In the wake of a rise in respiratory illness among childrenin China and increased hospitalisations, the state’s public health department has instructed districts to ensure their Covid infrastructure and systems are fully functional. While paediatricians in city and across the state assert that there is no unusual activity in respiratory illnesses among children, state officials have stressed on increasing surveillance of hospitalised and cluster cases in this population.
The state’s communication comes after the Centre on Sunday issued an advisory asking states to review preparedness. Dr Pratapsingh Sarnikar, joint director of health, said districts have been asked to tighten surveillance of severe acute respiratory infections and Influenza-Like Illnesses. “We have asked districts to review status of medicines, ventilators, oxygen systems, etc,” he said.
“As of now, the state will not be deputing teams at airports,” he said. However, a doctor from a public hospital said many don’t have the facility to run influenza panels to check if a hospitalised child has H1N1, H3N2 or any other type of influenza, which could make surveillance challenging. Such samples are usually sent to private labs. “But we can check respiratory secretions through smear and culture tests for bacterial pneumonia,” the doctor added. Paediatrician Dr Vijay Yewale said monitoring cluster cases and hospitalized patients is the ideal approach. tnn
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The state’s communication comes after the Centre on Sunday issued an advisory asking states to review preparedness. Dr Pratapsingh Sarnikar, joint director of health, said districts have been asked to tighten surveillance of severe acute respiratory infections and Influenza-Like Illnesses. “We have asked districts to review status of medicines, ventilators, oxygen systems, etc,” he said.
“As of now, the state will not be deputing teams at airports,” he said. However, a doctor from a public hospital said many don’t have the facility to run influenza panels to check if a hospitalised child has H1N1, H3N2 or any other type of influenza, which could make surveillance challenging. Such samples are usually sent to private labs. “But we can check respiratory secretions through smear and culture tests for bacterial pneumonia,” the doctor added. Paediatrician Dr Vijay Yewale said monitoring cluster cases and hospitalized patients is the ideal approach. tnn
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China ‘walking pneumonia’ outbreak: Govt issues urgent advisory to states, UTs for respiratory illness preparedness
The Union health ministry of India has initiated a comprehensive review of preparedness measures against respiratory illnesses in response to the evolving public health situation in China. The ministry has issued advisories to reassess and reinforce public health and hospital preparedness measures. The directive includes implementing the ‘Operational Guidelines for Revised Surveillance Strategy in the context of Covid-19’ to strengthen healthcare infrastructure. Meanwhile, China’s health ministry has urged local authorities to increase the number of fever clinics as the country faces its first full winter since easing Covid-19 restrictions.
The Union health ministry of India has initiated a comprehensive review of preparedness measures against respiratory illnesses in response to the evolving public health situation in China. The ministry has issued advisories to reassess and reinforce public health and hospital preparedness measures. The directive includes implementing the ‘Operational Guidelines for Revised Surveillance Strategy in the context of Covid-19’ to strengthen healthcare infrastructure. Meanwhile, China’s health ministry has urged local authorities to increase the number of fever clinics as the country faces its first full winter since easing Covid-19 restrictions.
WHO asks China for details on surge of respiratory illness in kids
The WHO formally requests China to share information on the recent increase in respiratory illnesses, including unconfirmed media reports. China has been reporting a surge in respiratory illnesses, with long lines at pediatric hospitals. Chinese officials attribute the illnesses to known pathogens but some reports describe children with pneumonia without specifying the cause. The WHO seeks information on the overall increase and the burden on healthcare systems. Concerns about transparency from China are acknowledged, prompting the WHO to request information. Chinese officials have not publicly responded to the WHO statement.
The WHO formally requests China to share information on the recent increase in respiratory illnesses, including unconfirmed media reports. China has been reporting a surge in respiratory illnesses, with long lines at pediatric hospitals. Chinese officials attribute the illnesses to known pathogens but some reports describe children with pneumonia without specifying the cause. The WHO seeks information on the overall increase and the burden on healthcare systems. Concerns about transparency from China are acknowledged, prompting the WHO to request information. Chinese officials have not publicly responded to the WHO statement.
Respiratory illnesses upsurge: China says no ‘unusual or novel pathogens’
Chinese health officials have provided data on the rise of respiratory diseases and occurrences of pneumonia in children in response to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) request for information. The surge in respiratory illnesses is linked to post-Covid-19 restriction easing, with known pathogens like mycoplasma pneumoniae, influenza, RSV, and adenovirus implicated. Increased patient volumes in hospitals and long waiting times have been reported, highlighting the strain on healthcare facilities. Beijing is currently facing a high incidence of respiratory diseases with multiple pathogens, including mycoplasma pneumonia. The WHO advises individuals in China to adhere to specific precautions to lower the risk of respiratory diseases.
Chinese health officials have provided data on the rise of respiratory diseases and occurrences of pneumonia in children in response to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) request for information. The surge in respiratory illnesses is linked to post-Covid-19 restriction easing, with known pathogens like mycoplasma pneumoniae, influenza, RSV, and adenovirus implicated. Increased patient volumes in hospitals and long waiting times have been reported, highlighting the strain on healthcare facilities. Beijing is currently facing a high incidence of respiratory diseases with multiple pathogens, including mycoplasma pneumonia. The WHO advises individuals in China to adhere to specific precautions to lower the risk of respiratory diseases.