Taking cognisance of clusters of respiratory illness being reported in
children in certain parts of China, the Indian Government has directed States to
report all cases of serious respiratory illnesses – Influenza Like Illness
(ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) – among children and
adolescents at the district level.
An insider asserted it is important to step-up the vigil and this is
being done purely as a precautionary measure, however, no red flags have been
seen till now.
The samples will be tested in advanced regional laboratories for the
microbe causing the illness.
“There is already a surveillance system in place for tracking respiratory
illnesses owing to Covid, which will be made use of for further surveillance.
As has been said before, risk for India continues to remain low,” added the
insider on condition of requesting anonymity.
The Health Ministry has recommended all States and Union territories to
implement ‘Operational Guidelines for Revised Surveillance Strategy in the
context of Covid’, shared earlier this year, which provides for integrated
surveillance of respiratory pathogens that manifest as cases of influenza like
illness and severe acute respiratory illness.
Union Health Secretary Sudhansh Pant, in a letter, urged States to ensure
that the trends of ILI and SARI should be closely reviewed by the district and State
surveillance units of Integrated Disease Surveillance Project or IDSP, specifically
among children and adolescents.
“The data of ILI and SARI is required to be uploaded on IDSP- IHIP portal
particularly from the public health institutions, including medical college
hospitals. States also asked to send nasal and throat swab samples of patients
with SARI, particularly of children and adolescents, to Virus Research and
Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDL’s) located in the States for testing for
respiratory pathogens,” he wrote.
“The cumulative effect of implementation of these precautionary and
proactive collaborative measures is expected to counter any potential situation
and ensure the safety and well-being of the citizens,” he added.
According to WHO, since mid-October 2023, it has been monitoring data
from Chinese surveillance systems that have been showing an increase in
respiratory illness in children in northern China.
“While WHO has sought additional information from Chinese authorities, it
is assessed that there is no cause for any alarm at the moment,” stated the Health
Ministry earlier.
As a precautionary measure, the Health Ministry has commenced immediate
review of public health and hospital preparedness measures, including
availability of human resources, hospital beds, drugs and vaccines for
influenza, medical oxygen, antibiotics, personal protective equipment, testing
kits and reagents, functionality of oxygen plants and ventilators, and
infection control practices in health facilities.
NE Watch Desk
