Indore: District health authorities directed hospitals to increase surveillance for Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) and Influenza like Illness (ILI) in the aftermath of an alert sounded by the Union, state government related to pulmonary diseases.In its alert including guidelines, the state government directed authorities to feed information about SARI, and ILI on the portal and review availability of human resource, beds, medicines, consumables, and other things.IDSP nodal, Indore, Dr Amit Malakar said, The facilities in the district are already putting up details of SARI, ILI on the portal. The hospitals including private ones are again directed for increasing vigil about pulmonary diseases. There is however no situation of worry.The focus is on patients walking with respiratory symptoms, paediatrics and medicine department, said Dr Malakar. In the last one month, around 3,000 cases of SARI, ILI infections were reported in the district. There is however no age-wise bifurcation available as of now, officials said.The state government further directed district officials to suspect swab samples of nasal and throat patients with SARI, particularly of children and adolescents, to Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDLs) for testing for pathogens.The state and Union government sounded alert after the World Health Organisation indicated an increase in respiratory illness in northern parts of China that was attributed to causes like Influenza, Mycoplasma pneumonia, SARS-CoV-2.The state further directed authorities for reviewing stocks with them. On it, Dr Malakar said, We would decide on a dry run on the lines of preparation done for Covid-19, as and when needed. There is however no decision yet on this issue for now.Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College dean Dr Sanjay Dixit held a stock review, preparedness meeting with the superintendent of hospitals associated with the government medical teaching institute.Dr Dixit further issued necessary instructions and directions for following guidelines issued by both the state and Union government.We also published the following articles recentlyAs respiratory cases in China mount, govt puts states on alertThe Centre has asked all states and UTs in India to review public health and hospital preparedness due to a rise in respiratory illness in children in China. The government wants to ensure readiness against respiratory illness, including Covid-19, as a precaution. States are advised to review manpower, hospital beds, drugs, vaccines, personal protective equipment, testing kits, oxygen plants, ventilators, and infection control practices. The WHO has requested detailed information from China about the surge in respiratory illness. Public health experts urge caution and scientific clarity instead of panicking.Andhra Pradesh puts health department on alert as cases of respiratory illnesses surge in ChinaAmid reports of a surge in respiratory illnesses in children in northern China, Andhra Pradesh is preparing its health infrastructure to deal with the mystery illness. The oxygen infrastructure, including oxygen plants, pipelines, beds, cylinders, and concentrators, will be utilized if there is an outbreak. Hospitals are setting up special paediatric wards with necessary infrastructure and medicines. If anyone experiences symptoms like labored breath or chest pain, they should seek medical help. The Visakha Institute of Medical Sciences and King George Hospital are fully prepared to provide treatment. The government has advised states to send samples for testing and review their preparedness measures.

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