Karnataka Health Department Issues Advisory After Surge In Respiratory Illness In China

Karnataka state advisory mentioned do's and don'ts to avoid the infection. It insisted people wash their hands frequently, avoid unnecessary touching of face and use masks in crowded places.

The virus poses a higher risk to infants, elderly and pregnant women.

In response to the increased cases of respiratory illness among children in China, the Karnataka government has placed the state's health department on alert. Following the Center's directive to review public health and hospital preparedness measures, the state government issued an advisory, urging the public to remain vigilant about the seasonal flu virus. The health department has heightened its surveillance and alerted healthcare infrastructure across Karnataka.

According to ANI, Karnataka health department issued an advisory for the people to be aware of the seasonal flu virus. The seasonal flu virus is an infectious fever that lasts for five to seven days. The symptoms of the flu also include chills, loss of appetite, nausea, sneezing and dry cough. The flu, however, is known for its low morbidity and mortality rates. 

The virus poses a higher risk to infants, elderly and pregnant women. It also poses a risk to immune-compromised people and patients under long-term medications. 

The state advisory mentioned do's and don'ts to avoid the infection. 

The advisory told people to cover the mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing. It insisted people wash their hands frequently, avoid unnecessary touching of face and use masks in crowded places.

Meanwhile, Union Health Ministry is closely monitoring a suspected H9N2 outbreak and clusters of respiratory disease among young individuals in northern China, as stated in an official statement reported by news agency ANI. The Health Ministry asserted that both the reported avian influenza cases from China and the clusters of respiratory illness carried minimal risk to India.

Current data indicated a rise in respiratory ailments in China in recent weeks, attributed to typical causes of children's respiratory diseases, with no identification of unique pathogens or clinical symptoms.