In view of the spread of pneumonia and influenza among children in China, the State Health department has come into an alert mode.

 The Health secretary R Rajesh Kumar has issued the guidelines for the department and administration in which it is clearly mentioned that the special monitoring of the children with symptoms of pneumonia and Influenza should be done.

 He said that the Health ministry has issued a directive to the States for increasing surveillance on finding an increase in the cases of pneumonia and influenza in children.  Kumar said that though no such case has been reported in the State, orders have been issued to remain alert and broad guidelines have been issued. He said that the district magistrates and chief medical officers (CMOs) have been directed to ensure that isolation beds, wards, oxygen beds, ICU beds, ventilators and oxygen cylinders are available in sufficient numbers for pneumonia and Influenza patients. 

 The guideline mentions that the cases of seasonal influenza, myco-plasma pneumoniae, SARS- CoV-2 and other respiratory diseases are increasing in China.  In view of the winter season the chances of these diseases also increase in the state.

 The guideline mandates for strict implementation of the ‘operational guidelines for revised surveillance strategy in context of Covid-19’.

 The CMOs have been asked to keep stock of the PPE kits, N-95 masks, VTMs and anti viral medicines. The patients with symptoms of SARS and influenza will be strictly monitored and their entries will be maintained in the integrated health information platform.  The nasal and throat samples of the patients’ pneumonia and influenza will be sent to the nearest medical college for investigation.