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The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
ICMR-NIE study calls for year-round monitoring of respiratory infections
Researchers at the ICMR's National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) in Chennai have highlighted the need for year-round and integrated surveillance of severe acute respiratory infections and influenza-like illness, which are potential threats to public health, to detect early warnings. Study findings This comes in the view of a new public health study, published in 'Discover Health Systems' journal last month, which has revealed key insights into how Tamil Nadu monitors and responds to cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI). The study found that surveillance efforts are stepped up only during outbreaks or specific seasons, even though respiratory viruses circulate throughout the year. The study evaluated the functioning of disease surveillance systems in four districts of the state from 2023 to 2024. Engaging more than 370 stakeholders across 85 healthcare facilities and 23 laboratories, the study found that while Tamil Nadu has built a foundation for respiratory illness surveillance, further improvements are needed to make the system more consistent, routine, and capable of responding to emerging public health threats. "This is the first study of its kind in India that provides evidence-based recommendations to strengthen disease surveillance at all levels," said Dr Rizwan Suliankatchi Abdulkader, the principal investigator of the study, ICMR-NIE. "Tamil Nadu has made significant strides in health surveillance. This report reinforces the importance of year-round, integrated disease monitoring to protect public health," said Dr T S Selva Vinayagam, director of public health and preventive medicine, the Government of Tamil Nadu. The study stated that more than half of the facilities surveyed had systems in place to report ILI/SARI cases, but only 42 per cent regularly collected clinical samples for testing. Besides, relatively few medical personnel had received specific training in identifying and reporting such cases. Need for improved surveillance Testing facilities were mostly concentrated in larger hospitals, with primary and secondary care facilities lacking necessary equipment and resources to conduct tests, Dr Rizwan said. While public health centres widely used the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP), the system faced challenges such as inconsistent data entry, multiple overlapping reporting formats, and minimal participation from private hospitals and labs. "The study also noted that surveillance efforts tend to intensify only during outbreaks or specific seasons, even though respiratory viruses circulate throughout the year," Dr Rizwan said. Influenza surveillance remains a seasonal event in Tamil Nadu, the study noted. "With changing ecological conditions, efforts should be made to ensure year-round reporting of cases. Testing for influenza should be prioritised and infrastructure and testing for novel pathogens should be developed," it said. Although guidelines are in place, a gap still exists in awareness amongst the health workers, especially community health workers regarding the importance of influenza surveillance. Structured training should be provided for trainers and there should be mechanisms for regular training of community health workers. Frequent monitoring should be employed and structured feedback should be provided to ensure complete and accurate data for a better understanding of the disease trends. Involvement of the private sector in surveillance activities is evident but partial, the study said. One health approach A 'One Health' approach should be adopted involving other sectors and data-sharing mechanisms should be in place ensuring transparency of data. With the plans already being discussed by the state, we may expect an improvement in surveillance standards for influenza soon, the study said. Surveillance is the key to identifying and detecting health events in the community and it provides the scientific and factual evidence essential for informed decision-making and appropriate public health action, the study found. Study participants identified several measures to improve surveillance, which included scaling up training for healthcare workers and community-level providers, improving digital infrastructure and mobile access to reporting platforms, expanding participation from private hospitals and diagnostic labs and engaging wide range of health workers such as mid-level providers and community volunteers. Tamil Nadu has already taken steps such as introducing the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) to streamline sample collection and transport. Plans are also in place to establish a "One Health" secretariat aimed at improving inter-departmental coordination and surveillance of zoonotic diseases, Dr Manoj Murhekar, director of NIE said. These initiatives could boost the state's ability to track influenza and other respiratory threats more effectively, he said. The researchers recommended transitioning from seasonal to continuous surveillance of ILI/SARI. They also suggested boosting laboratory capacity and resources across all levels of care, offering regular refresher training to healthcare providers and establishing structured feedback loops and monitoring systems to improve data quality and reporting accuracy and conducting similar situation analyses across the country. The study was supported by the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. The findings aim to guide state-level policy and improve the preparedness for respiratory disease outbreaks, including potential pandemics, said Dr Murhekar. Respiratory infections are a major contributor to morbidity and mortality. Globally, in 2021, an estimated 2.18 million deaths occurred due to lower respiratory tract infections (LRI), the study mentioned. Influenza viruses were responsible for more than five million hospitalisations. The Global Burden of Disease study has estimated 98,200 deaths due to influenza globally in 2021. Thirty-six per cent of worldwide deaths due to influenza occur in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Influenza-associated mortality in India is higher among adults aged 65 years and above and children below five years. The Southeast Asia (SEA) region is considered a 'hotspot' for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, especially those with pandemic potential. The region has witnessed a significant increase in pandemic and epidemic-prone diseases in the last decade such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection (2002-2004), Influenza A H1N1 2009 (Swine Flu), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) infection (2012), and COVID-19 (2020-2023) that have resulted in high morbidity and mortality.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
ICMR-NIE study calls for year-round monitoring of respiratory infections
New Delhi: Researchers at the ICMR 's National Institute of Epidemiology ( NIE ) in Chennai have highlighted the need for year-round and integrated surveillance of severe acute respiratory infections and influenza-like illness, which are potential threats to public health, to detect early warnings. This comes in the view of a new public health study, published in 'Discover Health Systems' journal last month, which has revealed key insights into how Tamil Nadu monitors and responds to cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI). The study found that surveillance efforts are stepped up only during outbreaks or specific seasons, even though respiratory viruses circulate throughout the year. The study evaluated the functioning of disease surveillance systems in four districts of the state from 2023 to 2024. Engaging more than 370 stakeholders across 85 healthcare facilities and 23 laboratories, the study found that while Tamil Nadu has built a foundation for respiratory illness surveillance, further improvements are needed to make the system more consistent, routine, and capable of responding to emerging public health threats. "This is the first study of its kind in India that provides evidence-based recommendations to strengthen disease surveillance at all levels," said Dr Rizwan Suliankatchi Abdulkader, the principal investigator of the study, ICMR-NIE. "Tamil Nadu has made significant strides in health surveillance. This report reinforces the importance of year-round, integrated disease monitoring to protect public health," said Dr T S Selva Vinayagam , director of public health and preventive medicine, the Government of Tamil Nadu. The study stated that more than half of the facilities surveyed had systems in place to report ILI/SARI cases, but only 42 per cent regularly collected clinical samples for testing. Besides, relatively few medical personnel had received specific training in identifying and reporting such cases. Testing facilities were mostly concentrated in larger hospitals, with primary and secondary care facilities lacking necessary equipment and resources to conduct tests, Dr Rizwan said. While public health centres widely used the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP), the system faced challenges such as inconsistent data entry, multiple overlapping reporting formats, and minimal participation from private hospitals and labs. "The study also noted that surveillance efforts tend to intensify only during outbreaks or specific seasons, even though respiratory viruses circulate throughout the year," Dr Rizwan said. Influenza surveillance remains a seasonal event in Tamil Nadu, the study noted. "With changing ecological conditions, efforts should be made to ensure year-round reporting of cases. Testing for influenza should be prioritised and infrastructure and testing for novel pathogens should be developed," it said. Although guidelines are in place, a gap still exists in awareness amongst the health workers, especially community health workers regarding the importance of influenza surveillance. Structured training should be provided for trainers and there should be mechanisms for regular training of community health workers. Frequent monitoring should be employed and structured feedback should be provided to ensure complete and accurate data for a better understanding of the disease trends. Involvement of the private sector in surveillance activities is evident but partial, the study said. A 'One Health' approach should be adopted involving other sectors and data-sharing mechanisms should be in place ensuring transparency of data. With the plans already being discussed by the state, we may expect an improvement in surveillance standards for influenza soon, the study said. Surveillance is the key to identifying and detecting health events in the community and it provides the scientific and factual evidence essential for informed decision-making and appropriate public health action, the study found. Study participants identified several measures to improve surveillance, which included scaling up training for healthcare workers and community-level providers, improving digital infrastructure and mobile access to reporting platforms, expanding participation from private hospitals and diagnostic labs and engaging wide range of health workers such as mid-level providers and community volunteers. Tamil Nadu has already taken steps such as introducing the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) to streamline sample collection and transport. Plans are also in place to establish a "One Health" secretariat aimed at improving inter-departmental coordination and surveillance of zoonotic diseases, Dr Manoj Murhekar , director of NIE said. These initiatives could boost the state's ability to track influenza and other respiratory threats more effectively, he said. The researchers recommended transitioning from seasonal to continuous surveillance of ILI/SARI. They also suggested boosting laboratory capacity and resources across all levels of care, offering regular refresher training to healthcare providers and establishing structured feedback loops and monitoring systems to improve data quality and reporting accuracy and conducting similar situation analyses across the country. The study was supported by the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. The findings aim to guide state-level policy and improve the preparedness for respiratory disease outbreaks, including potential pandemics, said Dr Murhekar. Respiratory infections are a major contributor to morbidity and mortality. Globally, in 2021, an estimated 2.18 million deaths occurred due to lower respiratory tract infections (LRI), the study mentioned. Influenza viruses were responsible for more than five million hospitalisations. The Global Burden of Disease study has estimated 98,200 deaths due to influenza globally in 2021. Thirty-six per cent of worldwide deaths due to influenza occur in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Influenza-associated mortality in India is higher among adults aged 65 years and above and children below five years. The Southeast Asia (SEA) region is considered a 'hotspot' for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, especially those with pandemic potential. The region has witnessed a significant increase in pandemic and epidemic-prone diseases in the last decade such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection (2002- 2004), Influenza A H1N1 2009 ( Swine Flu ), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) infection (2012), and COVID-19 (2020- 2023) that have resulted in high morbidity and mortality.
Hindustan Times
07-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Covid cases decline in Pune after brief rise in May
After a slight surge in Covid-19 cases in May, Pune city reported a decline in numbers in the month of June, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) officials said. However, the situation improved in June, with the number of cases decreasing to 68, they said. (FILE) According to PMC officials, in May, the city reported 93 Covid cases, a significant increase after months of very low activity. However, the situation improved in June, with the number of cases decreasing to 68, they said. Furthermore, from January to April this year, Pune had reported just one COVID-19 case, indicating almost no presence of virus circulation in the city during that period. The rise in May was not serious and was handled well due to ongoing health surveillance and prompt response measures, said the civic health officials. 'The increase in May was minor, and there is no reason for concern at this time. Many cases tested positive in private city hospitals were incorrectly reported to be from the PMC limits. We are continuing our surveillance to ensure early detection and control,' said Dr Vaishali Jadhav, assistant health officer, PMC. PMC authorities have urged citizens to stay alert, maintain hygiene, and consult doctors if they experience symptoms. People should avoid panic and instead focus on being cautious, especially people in high-risk categories. Besides, vaccination, timely testing, and responsible behaviour are still important in keeping COVID-19 under control, they said. As per the statement issued by the Public Health Department, on Sunday Maharashtra reported 8 fresh COVID-19 cases. Of which, 2 are from PMC, 5 are from Mumbai and 1 from Kolhapur. Since January 2025, as many as 2577 covid cases and 41 deaths amongst the infected have been reported. Also, the state has a recovery rate of 95.92%. Besides, since January, as many as 2569 covid cases and 41 deaths amongst the infected have been reported. Furthermore, currently, there are 64 active Covid cases in the state. Since January, Mumbai has reported 1012 covid cases, of which the highest 551 cases were reported in June alone, said Dr Sandeep Sangale, joint director of Health Services. Dr Sangale said the number of cases have declined in the state. 'The team is conducting regular surveillance of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARI) patients. Around 5% of ILI patients and all SARI patients are tested for COVID-19. Besides, samples of all positive patients are sent for Whole Genome Sequencing.'
Leaders
26-06-2025
- Science
- Leaders
SSA Launches ‘Madak Space' Experiments to International Space Station
The Saudi Space Agency (SSA) has officially launched the winning experiments from its 'Madak Space' competition to the International Space Station (ISS), as part of a global space mission that took off this morning from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This milestone underscores the Kingdom's commitment to advancing scientific research and nurturing future talent in the field of space science. According to an SSA press release, the mission features ten experiments developed by students from Saudi Arabia and across the Arab world. Moreover, these projects were selected through the 'Madak Space' competition, held in collaboration with the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation 'Misk' and the Ilmi Science Discovery and Innovation Center. The initiative encourages young minds passionate about space science and technology to transform their ideas into practical experiments under microgravity conditions aboard the ISS. Additionally, the competition drew significant interest, attracting over 80,000 registrants and submissions across three main categories: arts, plant sciences, and engineering. This effort is part of the SSA's broader strategy to enhance Saudi Arabia's role in international space endeavors and promote a knowledge-driven economy. It also supports the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 by preparing the next generation to contribute meaningfully to the future of space exploration. Related Topics : Saudi Arabia, South Korea Seal MoU to Strengthen Space Collaboration Saudi Space Agency Launches 'SARI' Competition for University Satellite Design 'Beyond Earth: Journeys to the Star': Saudi Space Agency, NASA Discuss Space Exploration Saudi Space Agency Explores Opportunities at 74th IAC Short link : Post Views: 36 Related Stories
Mint
20-06-2025
- Health
- Mint
India's Covid-19 cases decline even as new Omicron sub-variants emerge
New Delhi: India's active Covid-19 caseload fell to 5,976 on Friday, down from 6,483 cases a day earlier, even as new Omicron sub-variants continue to drive infections. The country reported three deaths in the past 24 hours—two from Delhi and one from Kerala—taking the total fatalities this year to 116, according to data from the Union Health Ministry. Health authorities have identified two new Omicron sub-lineages, NB.1.8.1 and LF.7—both mutations of the JN.1 variant—as the cause of the current surge. However, scientists at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have indicated that these new strains are not causing increased disease severity compared to earlier Omicron waves. Several states are witnessing a decline in daily infections. Kerala reported 1,309 active cases, followed by Gujarat (1,046), West Bengal (747), Delhi (632), Karnataka (466), and Maharashtra (443). According to ICMR, genome sequencing data shows that while the earlier spike was largely due to the JN.1.16 sub-variant, most recent cases are being attributed to recombinant variants like LF.7 and LP.8.1.2. The Union Health Ministry has urged the public to continue observing Covid-appropriate behaviour, avoid crowded places, and take necessary health precautions, especially when unwell. The ministry emphasized that while Covid-19 has transitioned into an endemic stage, all circulating variants over the past three years have remained within the Omicron lineage. To ensure preparedness, the government has directed states and union territories to review medical readiness across healthcare facilities, including the availability of oxygen supplies, isolation beds, ventilators, and critical medicines. A nationwide mock drill was conducted to assess oxygen supply infrastructure in hospitals. Surveillance units at the state and district level are closely monitoring Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases. All SARI admissions and 5% of ILI cases continue to be tested for Covid-19, with positive SARI samples sent for whole genome sequencing to track emerging variants. Meanwhile, 1,219 people recovered from Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of recoveries this year to 17,164, ministry data showed.
