Maharashtra Issues Advisory Amid China Pneumonia Scare. Check Which States Have Issued Alerts So Far

The Union Health Ministry had previously issued a nationwide advisory to review public health and hospital preparedness, responding to reports of respiratory illnesses in children in northern China.

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The Maharashtra public health department issued directives to hospitals across all districts and municipal corporations on Wednesday in response to the rising cases of respiratory illness, particularly among children in China, news agency ANI reported. The advisory mandates a thorough examination of Covid infrastructure, including beds, oxygen plant cylinders, ventilators, and other critical systems, as per the report. 

Hospitals are instructed to register cases of severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) and send samples to RTPCR labs for testing, according to the report. They are also advised to keep an ample supply of medicines on hand in case of emergency. For healthcare workers dealing with contagious diseases, the health department has emphasised the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), masks, and regular hand sanitization.

Dr Pratap Singh Sarnikar, Joint Director of the Maharashtra Health Department told ANI that, "the state's advisory follows the Centre's directive on Sunday, urging states to review preparedness. Districts and municipal corporations are instructed to enhance surveillance in hospitals and adhere to the advisory". 

Dr Subash Giri, Director of Lady Hardinge Medical College, also shed light on the potential risks, saying, "H9N2 is being reported a lot in China. It is a viral infection. There is a danger of pneumonia in those children who have low immunity. In India, viral infections occur during the change of season and the start of winter routinely. I have not read any reports of H9N2 in India till now. It is important to stay alert," he was quoted as saying by ANI. 

#WATCH | Delhi: On the pneumonia outbreak in China, Dr Subash Giri, Director, Lady Hardinge Medical College, says, "...H9N2 is being reported a lot in China... It is a viral infection...There is a danger of pneumonia in those children who have low immunity... In India, viral… pic.twitter.com/Kpnzlunkm7

— ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2023

The Union Health Ministry had previously issued a nationwide advisory to review public health and hospital preparedness, responding to reports of respiratory illnesses in children in northern China. The Health Ministry assured that the current situation is not alarming but emphasised the need for caution due to the ongoing influenza and winter seasons.

In light of the advisory, the Health Secretary urged states and union territories to put in place the 'Operational Guidelines for Revised Surveillance Strategy in the Context of Covid-19,' with an emphasis on integrated surveillance for respiratory pathogens.

States Which Have Issued Alerts So Far: 

Six Indian states have put their healthcare infrastructure on high alert in response to the Centre's directive to review preparedness in light of an increase in respiratory illnesses in China. Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Haryana, and Tamil Nadu have all issued warnings.

CNN reported clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children in northern China on November 21. Hospitals in Beijing and northern China are experiencing an increase in respiratory illnesses among children, despite having eased Covid-19 restrictions nearly a year ago. Chinese authorities acknowledged the rise in respiratory diseases, with reports indicating that hospitals are struggling to cope with the surge in patients.

According to the report, over 13,000 children sought outpatient and emergency care at Tianjin's largest paediatric hospital on Saturday, highlighting the severity of the situation.