China chokes under 'pneumonia': India at low risk of respiratory illnesses, says Union Health Ministry

India said it is closely monitoring the respiratory illness in China and the country is “prepared for any kind of public health exigency.”

“The Union Health Ministry is closely monitoring the reported outbreak of H9N2 cases and clusters of respiratory illness in children in northern China,” said a release by the Indian government.

Low risk to India

The health ministry said there is “low risk to India from both the avian influenza case reported from China as well as the clusters of respiratory illness.”

Also, a meeting was convened recently under the chairmanship of Directorate General Of Health Services (DGHS) to discuss the preparedness measures against human cases of Avian Influenza in India against the backdrop of a human case of H9N2 (Avian influenza virus) in October 2023 in China that was reported to World Health Organization (WHO).

“The overall risk assessment by WHO indicates a low probability of human-to-human spread and low case fatality rate among human cases of H9N2 reported to WHO so far. The need for strengthening surveillance among human, animal husbandry and wildlife sectors and improving coordination was recognised,” the Union Health Ministry said.

‘Cocktail of viruses’

The Union Health Ministry said, “What we have assessed is that It’s a cocktail of viruses that is leading to a surge in China. It is not zoonotic virus like coronavirus.”

‘Prepared for public health exigency’

The Union Health Ministry further said India is prepared for any kind of public health exigency.

“India is embarking on a One Health approach to adopt a holistic and integrated roadmap towards addressing such public health issues. There has also been a significant strengthening of health infrastructure especially since the COVID pandemic,” the ministry said.

The Indian government also said the country’s surveillance and detection networks under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) have rich experience of dealing with challenging health situations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

After COVID-19, China is now dealing with another medical emergency, a mysterious pneumonia outbreak that is affecting children and overwhelming pediatric hospitals across the Asian nation.

Since mid-October, China has reported thousands of cases of “influenza-like illness.”

This week, the state-run China National Radio stated 7,000 is the average daily patient load at the Beijing Children’s Hospital has reported, surpassing the hospital’s capacity.

Also Read: 7,000 cases a day: How deadly is the pneumonia outbreak in China?

The WHO has been pressing China to provide more details on the outbreak and look for improved response mechanisms as a result of the unexpected spike.

Meanwhile, leading scientists urged caution over fears of another pandemic after the WHO requested more information from the country.

“We have to be careful,” said Marion Koopmans, a Dutch virologist who advised the WHO on COVID-19. “We really need more information, particularly diagnostic information.”

However, the Chinese health commission has attributed the rise cases of respiratory illnesses to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.

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Along with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, the authorities named mycoplasma as one of the circulating infections.

They have stated that strengthening health systems’ capabilities and stepping up disease surveillance are vital.

People have been urged to continue COVID-19 pandemic-era practices such frequent hand washing, mask wear, and social separation by the WHO and medical staff in the nation led by Xi Jinping.

With inputs from agencies