India closely monitoring H9N2 outbreak, clusters of respiratory illness in children in China

The Union Health Ministry said on Friday that it is closely monitoring the reported outbreak of H9N2 cases and clusters of respiratory illness in children in China. “There is low risk to India from both the avian influenza case reported from China as well as the clusters of respiratory illness,” it said, adding that India is prepared for “any kind of exigency that may emerge from the current situation”. 

The Director General of Health Services (DGHS) recently held a meeting to discuss the preparedness measures against human cases of avian influenza in the country against the backdrop of a human case of H9N2 (avian influenza virus) in October 2023 in China that was reported to the World Health Organization (WHO). 

In a statement dated November 22, the WHO said it had officially requested China for detailed information on an increase in respiratory illnesses and reported clusters of pneumonia in children, and that it was unclear whether those were associated with the overall increase in respiratory infections previously reported by Chinese authorities, or separate events. 

“Since mid-October, northern China had reported an increase in influenza-like illness compared to the same period in the previous three years. China has systems in place to capture information on trends in influenza, influenza-like illnesses, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2, and reports to platforms such as the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System,” said the WHO, 

“The overall risk assessment by WHO indicates a low probability of human to human spread and low case fatality rate among human cases of H9N2 reported to WHO so far. The need for strengthening surveillance among human, animal husbandry and wild life sectors and improving coordination was recognized,” the ministry said. 

The Union ministry also said that based on available information, an increase in the incidence of respiratory diseases in China has been reported in the last few weeks, and the usual causes of respiratory illness in children have been implicated, and there has been no identification of an unusual pathogen or any unexpected clinical manifestations. 

“India is prepared for any kind of public health exigency. India is embarking on a One Health approach to adopt a holistic and integrated roadmap towards addressing such public health issues. There has also been a significant strengthening of health infrastructure especially since the COVID pandemic,” it added. 

The ministry also said that the government’s PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) is developing capacities of health systems and institutions across the continuum of care at all levels, primary, secondary and tertiary, to prepare health systems in responding effectively to the current and future pandemics or disasters.
The PM- Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission is a centrally-sponsored scheme aimed at filling critical gaps in health infrastructure, surveillance and health research in the country. 

What is H9N2?

Bird flu strain H9N2 is a subtype of the species Influenza A virus, which can lead to infection and disease in humans.