A missive from the Union Health Secretary to states and union territories urges an immediate review of public health and hospital preparedness. This includes assessing the availability of human resources, hospital beds, influenza drugs and vaccines, medical oxygen, antibiotics, personal protective equipment, testing kits, reagents, and the functionality of oxygen plants and ventilators.
Respiratory expert Wang Guangfa explained that there has been a decrease in antibodies due to the protective precautions taken in the last three years due to COVID-19 outbreak.
Respiratory illness breakout in China: The ministry said that there is low risk to India both from the H9N2 avian influenza case as well as the clusters of respiratory illness in China.
China is experiencing a major pneumonia outbreak with no known cause in children, and it is overwhelming paediatric hospitals in the country, according to a report.