H&FW deptt issues advisory on COVID-19, seasonal flu

State health & family welfare (H&FW) department has issued advisory in view of the reported surge in respiratory illness among children in China and also taking note of the WHO statement on those reported cases. In an advisory, principal director H&FW, Dr.Ritu Thurr, stated that increase in respiratory illness among children was attributed to usual causes like Influenza, Mycoplasma pneumonia, SARS-CoV-2(JN.1), etc and not due to any other unusual pathogen.

The department has also noted the rise of Covid19 cases attributed to the Variant of Interest, JN.1. It stated that seasonal flu was an infectious disease that spreads from person to person through cough, sneezing of a person with the flu, or through contact with droplets.
H&FW department stated that this self-limiting disease lasts for 5-7 days and causes low morbidity and mortality. At risk populations include infants, the elderly, pregnant women and immunocompromised. The department informed that those taking long-term medications, particularly steroids could require hospitalization.

It stated that fever, chills, malaise, loss of appetite, myalgia, nausea, sneezing and dry cough lasting several days and sudden onset of malaise were common symptoms of the disease, which could last up to 3 weeks in high-risk populations.
In this regard, the health department has issued DOs and DON’Ts for prevention and control of Influenza and other such respiratory illnesses.

1. Wear mask or cover your mouth and nose with a handkerchief or tissue when you cough or sneeze.
2. Persons above 60 years, persons with comorbid conditions, other health issues, pregnant women, elderly are advised to wear mask as it not only protects from Covid19, Flu but other respiratory illnesses.
3. Wash your hands often with soap and water.
4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth unnecessarily.
5. Avoid visiting crowded places and if visiting such places use a face mask.
6. Maintain basic minimum distance from persons affected with flu.
7. Sleep adequately, be physically active and deal with stress effectively
8. Drink plenty of water and eat nutritious food
9. Avoid spitting in public.
10. Avoid travel to places with high incidence of Influenza and other respiratory illnesses.
    If you exhibit flu like symptoms/influenza:
11. Visit the nearest Govt. Health Care Centre if the Influenza Like Illness (ILI) occurs.
12. Stay at home, do not travel or go to work or school; Use face mask for protection.
13. Avoid close contact with others for at least 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer.
14. Report to nearest Govt Health facility if symptoms aggravate; the symptoms being fever, chills, malaise, loss of appetite, body aches, nausea, sneezing and prolonged dry cough typically in connection with a sudden onset of illness.
15. The high-risk population may experience the symptoms up to 3 weeks.
16. Do not self-medicate or take medicines/antibiotics without consulting doctor, and follow the medical advice appropriately.