West Bengal Health Dept Alerts Districts Over Rising Adenovirus Cases, Issues Advisory: Report

Officials were instructed to boost surveillance and monitoring during a health department meeting on Saturday to assess the viral situation.

With reports of adenovirus infections decimating Kolkata since January, health professionals have been instructed to be extra cautious about flu-like symptoms in children in order to identify and treat potential adenovirus cases as soon as possible, Times of India (TOI) reported.

"As on Feb 18, total 115 patients admitted with respiratory issues. Patients in ICU/HDU with respiratory problems - 22 (5 paediatric). Most adults suffering from adenovirus, non-COVID coronavirus, influenza, para influenza, rhinovirus, pneumococcus & RSV," AMRI Hospital was quoted by ANI on its official Twitter handle. 

Officials were instructed to boost surveillance and monitoring during a health department meeting on Saturday to assess the viral situation. Health workers have been instructed to be more cautious and swift in spotting youngsters suffering from respiratory distress.

At a discussion with CMOHs, specialists, and officials, health secretary Narayan Swaroop Nigam examined the current infrastructure that is available to ensure that there is no bed shortage. Adenovirus was found in 30% of the samples reported to NICED, according to TOI's report.

“We have found an alarming presence of adenoviruses in swab samples tested in our laboratory. Around 30 per cent of suspects’ swab samples have been tested positive since January. Most of the infected patients are children and the trend is really alarming,” Dr Shanta Dutta, director of NICD was quoted by The Statesman in its report.

“Around 500 samples have been tested so far in our laboratory during January. Besides adenovirus infections, Parainfluenza viruses are also found in samples. We are also keeping a watch whether there has been any change in characters of viruses,” Dr Dutta added.

What Is Adenovirus?

Adenovirus is a kind of virus that can infect the eyes, urinary and respiratory systems, as well as the lungs and intestines, producing fever, coughing, sore throat, and diarrhoea.

This viral illness primarily affects children.

Adenoviruses are very infectious and can spread when an infected person coughs and sneezes. Adenovirus-infected human droplets fly into the air and fall on surfaces.

(With Inputs From Agencies)