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Hindustan Times
13-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Pune accounts for 38% of Maha's ILI & SARI cases
Pune has emerged as the worst-affected district in Maharashtra for cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI), accounting for over a third of the state's total caseload. However, officials claim that precise reporting is the reason behind this large number of cases. According to official data from the Integrated Health Information Portal (IHIP) of Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) of the state health department, Maharashtra recorded a total 142,474 cases of ILI and SARI between January 1 and June 11, 2025 with Pune district alone accounting for 54,371 cases which is approximately 38% of the total cases. During the same period, the state reported 753 cases of SARI, 597 (79%) of which were reported by Pune district alone, officials said. Dr Sachin Desai, Pune district health officer, said that the reason behind the large number of cases is the reporting in Pune district. 'All cases are regularly updated on the portal, and there is no underreporting of cases. However, no deaths have been reported amongst these infected patients,' he said. According to health experts, the large number of cases is worrying and maybe linked to multiple factors such as climate variations, urban density, air quality, and delayed medical intervention. Dr Abhijeet Lodha, physician at Ruby Hall Clinic, said that those with existing co-morbidities and the elderly should regularly take influenza vaccines and infected patients must follow hygiene and use face masks in public places. 'The spikes in respiratory illnesses are often aggravated during seasonal transitions and by rising pollution levels. The monsoon, with its damp and humid conditions, only worsens the situation,' Dr Lodha said. As per data provided by the public health department, Pune district reported the highest number of ILI cases this year followed by Jalgaon with 18,435 cases and Ahilya Nagar with 9,903 cases. Similarly, Pune reported the highest number of SARI cases (597) followed by Solapur (31) and Nagpur (29). A senior health official from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on request of anonymity said, 'The cases have gone up and the surge in cases can be attributed to the pollution and weather change. 'Many people from nearby districts like Sangli, Satara, Solapur, Ahilya Nagar and Kolhapur also come for treatment to Pune which adds to the total number. Besides, there is more awareness among people coming forward to report if they have any symptoms.' Dr Avdhut Bodamwad of Lopmudra Hospital said that more ILI and SARI cases are likely to be reported due to the onset of the monsoon and that citizens should take all precautionary measures and stay safe. 'During the monsoon, temperature variations take place and we can expect an increase in such cases. Considering the current situation in Pune, it is important to differentiate between Covid-19 positive patients and those who are not. Individuals at high risk should get tested immediately if they have any such symptoms and should not attribute it to weather change,' he said.
India Gazette
26-05-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
Uttarakhand Health Secretary reviews COVID-19 preparedness, urges vigilance amid rising cases
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], May 26 (ANI): Uttarakhand's State Secretary of Medical Health and Medical Education, Dr R Rajesh Kumar, held a high-level review meeting on Monday with senior departmental officials to assess the state's preparedness for COVID-19 management. During the meeting, Dr Kumar directed officials to remain fully prepared for any possible emergency and emphasised that there should be no negligence at any level. He instructed that all COVID-19 management systems must be fully operational and effective. Senior officials, including Medical Director General Dr Sunita Tamta, Medical Education Director Dr Ashutosh Sayana, Assistant Director Dr Pankaj Singh, Dehradun Chief Medical Officer Dr Manoj Sharma, Doon Medical College Chief Medical Superintendent Dr RS Bisht, and others, attended the meeting. The state government remains alert in light of the recent rise in COVID-19 cases across the country. 'The situation in the state is under control right now, but we must be prepared for any potential challenge. At this time, there is no need to panic, but to be cautious and vigilant. Our effort is to ensure the availability of all necessary resources related to COVID-19 in every hospital, health centers and medical college in the state. Whether it is isolation beds, oxygen supply or availability of trained health workers,' Health Secretary Dr Kumar said. He further stated that surveillance systems are being strengthened and testing capacities bolstered to enable quick action when needed. 'Our rapid response teams are trained and ready,' Dr Kumar added. He appealed to the public and said, 'I urge citizens to stay away from rumours and follow the Health Department's guidelines.' To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Health Department reiterated the importance of wearing masks, maintaining hand hygiene, avoiding crowds, and consulting a doctor promptly upon experiencing symptoms. All government and private hospitals and medical colleges in the state have been directed to treat COVID patients. Ensure adequate availability of isolation beds, oxygen cylinders, oxygen concentrators, BiPAP machines, ventilators, ICU beds, oxygen generation plants, and essential medicines. All districts have been instructed further to strengthen the surveillance of potential cases of COVID-19. Also, all testing centres have been asked to ensure the availability of rapid test kits and RT-PCR kits. ILI (influenza-like symptoms), SARI (severe acute respiratory infection), and COVID-19 cases will be reported compulsorily and continuously monitored. All government and private hospitals and labs have been asked to ensure that they share the reports of these cases on the Integrated Health Information Portal (IHIP) daily. Rapid response teams formed under the IDSP program have been instructed to be trained and prepared for any unusual situation. All patients with COVID-19 symptoms will be tested compulsorily, and COVID-19 positive samples will be sent to the concerned laboratories for Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS). (ANI)
