Pneumonia outbreak in China : India is monitoring mystery secret illness

By: Pune Pulse

November 25, 2023

Pune: The Union Health Ministry of India has responded to the spreading outbreak of an illness in China.

As per further information from a press release by the Government of India, the Union Health Ministry is closely monitoring the reported outbreak of H9N2 cases and clusters of respiratory illness in children in northern China.

There is a low risk to India from both the avian influenza cases reported from China as well as the clusters of respiratory illness.

A meeting was recently held under the Chairmanship of DGHS to discuss the preparedness measures against human cases of Avian Influenza in the country against the backdrop of a human case of H9N2 (Avian influenza virus) in October 2023 in China that was reported to WHO.

The overall risk assessment by WHO indicates a low probability of human-to-human spread and a 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. 

India is prepared for any kind of public health emergency. 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-19 pandemic.

PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) was launched by the Prime Minister which is developing capacities of health systems and institutions across the continuum of care at all levels, primary, secondary and tertiary, to prepare health systems to respond effectively to the current and future pandemics /disasters. In addition, India’s surveillance and detection networks under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) have rich experience in dealing with challenging health situations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shreyas Vange