J&K IDSP heightens vigilance amid global COVID-19 concerns

Srinagar, May 20: The J&K Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) has intensified monitoring of respiratory illnesses across J&K for potential COVID-19 cases. While no cases have been reported from J&K, and cases in India remain low, the union health ministry has alerted state and UT level surveillance units to watch the situation.

State Surveillance Officer, Dr Samina Gul, said the unit has alerted its field staff to enhance surveillance measures across the union territory to ensure early detection and containment of any possible outbreaks. “We have instructed our field staff to follow the protocols and formats issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. We conduct thorough monitoring for any signs of influenza-like illnesses or severe acute respiratory infections,” she stated.

According to her, while there are no significant reports of a COVID-19 surge in J&K at this time, maintaining a high level of preparedness is important and IDSP is always geared up for that. She emphasised that the directive is on the lines of national strategy to stay proactive, particularly in light of rising cases in some parts of Asia.

The IDSP in J&K, operating under the National Centre for Disease Control, has a deep network for tracking communicable diseases. The program is pivotal in managing outbreaks by coordinating rapid response teams and leveraging real-time data to curb disease spread.

J&K has COVID19 testing facilities across medical colleges while genomic sequencing is also carried out, although remotely. COVID19 isolation facilities had been created across hospitals during the pandemic, and many hospitals, such as SKIMS Soura, have isolation areas for highly-infectious illnesses.

India’s COVID-19 situation remains stable, with health authorities asserting that the virus is now considered endemic and manageable. A high-level review meeting chaired by the Director General of Health Services on May 19 high-level expert teams from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), National Centre for Disease Control, and other bodies emphasized the strength of India’s surveillance network.

Recent media reports suggested at least two deaths at KEM Hospital Mumbai that were initially linked to COVID-19, were due to comorbidities such as nephrotic syndrome and cancer. As of September 2020, India had reported over 6.3 million cases and 97,000 deaths, making it one of the hardest-hit countries in Asia at the time.

Across Asia, the COVID-19 landscape is very different depending upon the country. Singapore and Hong Kong recently reported surges in cases, prompting India to ramp up its vigilance. Singapore’s health authorities noted a spike in hospitalisations, mostly among the high-risk groups. Hong Kong has also reported a resurgence driven by new variants. Thailand has reported increased cases, raising concerns about a potential regional wave. In contrast, countries like Japan and South Korea have maintained relatively low case numbers through stringent public health measures and high vaccination rates.