China is reeling under mysterious childhood pneumonia, and like COVID-19, more information has yet to be disclosed. The outbreak has created flutters among the healthcare fraternity worldwide, and health stakeholders are closely monitoring it. With winter setting in, chances of mysterious pneumonia are expected to rise. India is already reeling under various respiratory illnesses due to massive air pollution, and the country has urged the health department to be extra cautious while dealing with the disease if there are cases similar to the outbreak in China.
Symptoms
As claimed by many, the mysterious pneumonia is mainly focused in Beijing and Liaoning provinces. Symptoms associated with pneumonia include fever, lung inflammation without cough, and pulmonary nodules (forms of lumps in the lungs). According to experts, lack of prior immunity to children may have surged the infection level. The contributing factor, as per health experts, may be due to the circulation of known pathogens that include influenza, Mycoplasma pneumonia, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and the deadly severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The pneumonia is leading to the hospitalization of many children.
Precautions
The World Health Organisation has recommended people in the affected areas get vaccinated, go in for self-isolation in case symptoms emerge, wash their hands regularly, and wear masks to prevent the disease from spreading. Travel restrictions are on the minds of many, with advisories being issued to not travel to areas under the influence of the disease.
India’s stand
India is taking proactive steps to counter the disasters in the event of an outbreak. The Central Ministry has advised all states and UTs to review the public health infrastructure and hospital preparedness and to keep a close eye on the developments in the neighboring country. Ramping up medical infrastructure such as hospital beds, drugs and vaccines for influenza, medical oxygen, personal protective equipment, antibiotics, diagnostics testing kits and reagents, utilization of oxygen plants and ventilators, infection control practices, etc, have been advised.
Monitoring one’s health
A change in season brings in a host of bacterial and viral diseases to children. Visiting a medical practitioner, taking proper medications, and staying at home in the event of pneumonia will help to keep the disease at bay.
