How is TN Health Dept Enhancing ILI/SARI Surveillance Amid COVID-19 Surge?

Chennai, May 31 (NationPress) In light of a recent increase in COVID-19 cases throughout various regions of India, including Tamil Nadu, the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine has directed district, city, and municipal health officials to amplify disease surveillance and execute proactive strategies for the early identification, reporting, and management of cases related to Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI).

Referencing new data that signals a rise in COVID-19 infections nationally during May, the directorate stressed the necessity for enhanced vigilance.

District Surveillance Units (DSUs) have been tasked with monitoring and reporting ILI and SARI cases daily from all healthcare facilities within their areas of responsibility. Any peculiar clustering of cases must be quickly communicated to the State Surveillance Unit to enable timely public health interventions.

Upon identifying clusters, field teams, in conjunction with Primary Health Centres (PHCs), are required to conduct thorough monitoring and initiate necessary follow-up actions. This directive highlights the importance of being ready for a potential uptick in cases.

Healthcare facilities have been urged to confirm the availability of crucial medical supplies, including antiviral drugs like Oseltamivir, and to ensure adequate diagnostic materials are on hand. They must also evaluate bed capacity in fever wards and prepare contingency plans to accommodate a potential rise in patient admissions.

Simultaneously, field personnel are to be deployed to raise public health awareness in local communities. They will advocate for hand hygiene, mask-wearing in crowded places, cough etiquette, and maintaining distance from individuals exhibiting respiratory symptoms. The public is advised to seek immediate medical care for symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough, and body pain.

There is a strong emphasis on the importance of seasonal influenza vaccination, particularly for high-risk groups.

Furthermore, the public is encouraged to keep frequently touched surfaces, such as mobile devices, door handles, and light switches, clean.

All healthcare institutions have been instructed to ensure that ILI and SARI cases are reported promptly and consistently via the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal without exception.

This renewed focus on surveillance and community engagement is part of the state’s proactive measures to control the spread of respiratory illnesses amidst changing public health challenges.