Closely monitoring outbreak of H9N2, Rising cases of pneumonia in China: Govt
New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry said it is closely monitoring the outbreak of H9N2 and clusters of respiratory illness in children in northern China. Both the Chinese instance of avian influenza and the respiratory illness clusters pose low risk for India and prepared for any kind of exigency that may emerge from the current influenza situation in that country, the ministry informed.
“An increase in the incidence of respiratory diseases in China has been reported in the last few weeks. The usual causes of respiratory illness in children have been implicated and there has been no identification of an unusual pathogen or any unexpected clinical manifestations,” the ministry stated.
“India is equipped to handle any emergency related to public health. In order to address these public health concerns thoroughly and comprehensively, India is launching a One Health initiative. The infrastructure supporting health care has also been significantly strengthened, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic,” the statement added.
A meeting was held under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) to discuss the preparedness measures against human cases of avian influenza in the country against the backdrop of a human case of H9N2 (avian influenza virus) in October in China that was reported to the WHO, it said.
“The overall risk assessment by the WHO indicates a low probability of human-to-human spread and low case fatality rate among human cases of H9N2 reported to the WHO so far. The need for strengthening surveillance among human, animal husbandry, and wildlife sectors and improving coordination was recognised. India is prepared for any kind of public health exigency,” the ministry added.
The PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) was launched by the prime minister and it is developing capacities of health systems and institutions across the continuum of care at all levels, primary, secondary, and tertiary, to prepare health systems to respond effectively to the current and future pandemics and disasters, the ministry said.
In addition, India’s surveillance and detection networks under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) have rich experience of dealing with challenging health situations during the Covid pandemic, the ministry said.
Source – ETHealth World
