China Pneumonia Outbreak: Kerala CM Alerts State, Lists Surveillance Measures After Centre's Advisory

Kerala CM Pinarayi said that state medical board, Public health department and specialist doctors are analysing the present situation.

The CM said that there was no notable surge in respiratory cases reported over the past three months

Source : ANI file

Amid a surge in pneumonia cases in certain Chinese provinces, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, addressing concerns, highlighted the surveillance measures undertaken across the state. Despite no notable surge in respiratory cases reported over the past three months, the Chief Minister yet urged everyone to stay alert.

In Malappuram, Kerala CM said, "More cases of pneumonia have been reported in some provinces of China. In the background of this, the health department has strengthened state-wide surveillance. State medical board, Public health department and specialist doctors are analysing the present situation."

"The state has not reported any unusual increase in cases related to respiratory issues in the last three months. So we should be alert. We are observing the cases of respiratory diseases in district hospitals, medical colleges and speciality hospitals," he said.

In Malappuram, Kerala CM says, "More cases of pneumonia have been reported in some provinces of China. In the background of this, the health department has strengthened state-wide surveillance. State medical board, Public health department and specialist doctors are analysing the… pic.twitter.com/4sEDJp7ss5

— ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2023

 

Apart from Kerala, several states including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Gujarat and Rajasthan have also sounded similar alerts in their respective states.

Previously, the Union Health Ministry issued guidance to states to promptly assess public health and hospital readiness, including the availability of beds, drugs, influenza vaccines, medical oxygen, antibiotics, personal protective equipment, testing kits, reagents, functionality of oxygen plants and ventilators, as well as infection control practices.

In a Sunday statement, the ministry noted that information shared by the World Health Organization (WHO) indicated a surge in respiratory illnesses in northern China. This rise is primarily attributed to common factors such as influenza, mycoplasma pneumonia, and SARS-CoV-2.