INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
NEW DELHI: The Union health ministry on Friday said there is a "low risk" to India from the recent outbreak of H9N2 and pneumonia cases
being reported in parts of China
However, the ministry said that it is closely monitoring the situation
In a statement, the health ministry noted that there have been media reports about the rising cases of respiratory illness among children in
northern China."The usual causes of respiratory illness in children have been implicated and there has been no identification of an unusual
pathogen or any unexpected clinical manifestations," it said.The ministry said that a meeting was recently held under the chairmanship of
Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) to discuss the preparedness measures against human cases of avian Influenza in India amid a
human case of H9N2 (Avian influenza virus) reported in China in October 2023
"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," it said.The ministry added that there is a need for strengthening surveillance among human, animal husbandry
and wild life sectors and improving coordination
The statement that India is prepared for any kind of "public health exigency"
It noted that there has also been a significant strengthening of health infrastructure especially after the Covid pandemic
Covid-19 pandemic.China has been grappling with a spike in respiratory illnesses, with cases among children appearing especially high in
northern areas like Beijing and Liaoning province.The World Health Organization has sought data from Chinese authorities following the
outbreak of such cases and has urged the citizens to take precausions
However, no unusual or novel pathogens has been detected so far.
