China Pneumonia outbreak: Govt monitoring situation, necessary steps taken, says Union Health Minister
China.
«The government is monitoring the situation. The ICMR and the Director General of Health Services are observing the surging cases of pneumonia in China, and necessary steps are being taken,» Mandaviya told reporters when asked about the outbreak which has caused global concern.
What has India said about the outbreak?
On Saturday, Health Minister said that the ministry is monitoring the situation.
Earlier, Union Ministry of Health had released a statement about India's preparedness regarding the outbreak.
«India is prepared for any kind of exigency that may emerge from the current influenza situation in China,» said the Ministry through a press release on Friday.
«There is low risk to India from both the avian influenza case reported from China as well as the clusters of respiratory illness,» added the Ministry.
In review to the outbreak, a meeting was held under the Directorate General of Health Services to discuss the preparedness measures against human cases of avian influenza in the country.
«The overall risk assessment by the WHO indicates a low probability of human-to-human spread and low case fatality rate among human cases of H9N2 reported to the 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 exigency,» the ministry added.
What has happened in China?
On November 13, China's National Health Commission reported a surge of respiratory illnesses, mostly in children. Most of the cases have been reported in China's capital Beijing. But cases have been observed in Northeastern Liaoning province and other areas in China as well.
