New Delhi: Dr Ajay Shukla, the Director of Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, has advised people to be cautious and maintain cleanliness amidst the reported outbreak of H9N2 cases and respiratory illness clusters in children in northern China. He emphasized the importance of following routine practices of cleanliness and keeping a distance from individuals who have respiratory illnesses or infections, as many of these cases are viral and can be transmitted. Dr Shukla also recommended the use of masks, particularly N95 and N99 masks, when going out, especially considering the pollution. Additionally, he stressed the need for parents to exercise precautions with their children, ensuring they do not have cough, cold, fever, or any other symptoms before sending them to school. Dr Shukla highlighted the significant increase in the number of small children being admitted to hospitals with respiratory illnesses in China, causing disruption in the healthcare system.
Regarding the limited information available about the outbreak, Dr Shukla shared expert opinions suggesting that the increase in infections among children could be due to the impact of COVID-19 and the resulting low immunity in the population. Another possibility mentioned was the presence of a common and non-dangerous bacterial infection called MIKO plasma pneumoniae. However, Dr Shukla assured that there is no need to worry about the disease in India, as no cases with similar symptoms have been reported in the country.
Dr Shukla urged people not to panic, stating that based on the current information, there is no indication that the situation will escalate into a pandemic like COVID-19. He advised monitoring the situation closely and waiting for additional information before drawing conclusions. Dr Shukla also explained that an increase in influenza cases is expected before winter every year, and the current rise in cases does not suggest an abnormal increase beyond the usual seasonal pattern.
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