Union Health Ministry Vigilant Amidst Reported Outbreak of H9N2 Cases in China
The Union Health Ministry is actively monitoring the reported outbreak of H9N2 cases and clusters of respiratory illness in children in northern China. Assuring the public, health authorities have communicated that there is a low risk to India from both the avian influenza case reported in China and the concurrent clusters of respiratory illness.
Recent media reports have highlighted the emergence of respiratory illness clusters in children in northern China, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to issue a statement (refer to WHO statement here). The available information suggests an uptick in respiratory diseases in China over the past few weeks, with standard causes implicated and no identification of any unusual pathogen or unexpected clinical manifestations.
A meeting, chaired by the Director-General of Health Services (DGHS), was convened to discuss preparedness measures against human cases of Avian Influenza in India. This discussion was prompted by a human case of H9N2 (Avian influenza virus) reported to WHO in October 2023 in China. WHO’s overall risk assessment indicates a low probability of human-to-human spread and a low case fatality rate among human cases of H9N2 reported so far. The importance of strengthening surveillance across human, animal husbandry, and wildlife sectors and enhancing coordination was emphasized during the meeting.
India stands prepared for any public health exigency and is adopting a One Health approach, integrating efforts to address such health issues comprehensively. The country has significantly bolstered its health infrastructure, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. The PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, is enhancing the capacities of health systems and institutions at all levels to respond effectively to current and future pandemics and disasters. Additionally, India’s surveillance and detection networks under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) have gained valuable experience in managing challenging health situations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
