On Thursday, the Delhi Department of Health and Family Welfare convened a meeting with several doctors and experts to address reported cases of respiratory illnesses in China. The readiness of Delhi government hospitals to respond to these infections was also evaluated.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the Delhi health department stressed the importance of closely monitoring infections originating from China, categorizing them as a new type of infection. Testing is scheduled to take place at Delhi government\’s Rajiv Gandhi Hospital and Chacha Nehru Hospital.
The statement also included directives to stock anti-viral drugs and a specific syrup commonly used for children. Despite the anticipated seasonal flu or influenza in January, the statement aimed to reassure the public, emphasizing that there is currently no need for alarm as no new infections have been detected.
The increase in respiratory illnesses, particularly among children, has been noted in northern China. However, Chinese health authorities clarified that this upswing is a result of a combination of known viruses and is linked to the country\’s first complete cold season following the lifting of strict Covid restrictions in December of the previous year.
The surge was initially reported on November 13 by China\’s National Health Commission. Authorities attribute the rise in cases to the conclusion of Covid restrictions, the onset of the cold season, and the circulation of known pathogens, including influenza, mycoplasma pneumonia, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SARS-CoV-2, as reported by the news agency AFP.