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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.
The Hindu
07-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Nellore reports seven Covid-19 cases, DM&HO intensifies vigilance
The health department on Saturday intensified Covid-19 monitoring and containment measures after seven positive cases were reported in SPSR Nellore district. The District Medical and Health Officer (DM&HO) has initiated several measures on the instructions of Director of Public Health and Family Welfare, Andhra Pradesh. The VRDL (Virus Research And Diagnostic Laboratory Network) had conducted 12 RT-PCR tests on the patients at ACSR Government Medical College and General Hospital (GGH) and confirmed six Covid-19 cases in the combined Nellore district on Friday. Later, another case was reportedly found on Saturday. Nellore DM&HO Dr. V. Sujatha said that the department has immediately tested 27 persons who were primary contacts of the patients. Except one, rest of them tested negative. Now, the contacts of the person who tested positive will undergo the tests. All the patients are presently having mild symptoms and are staying at home isolation with good health condition. With the increasing Covid-19 cases across the State and country, the DM&HO has appointed District Surveillance Officer Dr. Bhaskar Singamsetty as a nodal officer to monitor the cases and submit the GGH preparedness assessment data through IHIP (Integrated Health Information Platform) portal. Speaking to The Hindu, Dr. Bhaskar said, 'After Omicron, the individuals were found to be infected with the new Covid-19 subvariants—NB.1.8.1 and LF.7. These are mild variants with symptoms including cough, cold, throat pain and fever for three days. To stop spreading the disease, we have notified guidelines to the public to avoid mass gathering and wear masks.' About 1,000 kits for RAT (Rapid Antigen Tests) were distributed to 80 PHCs in the district. If anyone tested positive, they were immediately moved to the district hospital for the RT-PCR test as it is available only at GGH and few corporate hospitals like Narayana, Apollo and Medicover in the district, he said. The nodal officer further said, 'We are conducting house to house survey for identifying the primary and secondary contacts of the positive patients. We continuously follow-up the patients in home isolation for one week. The alerts were given to all PHCs and UPHCs regarding the influenza patients.' GGH Superintendent Dr. B. S. Naik said that a special ward has been set up with 30 beds for the Covid-19 patients in the pulmonology department having more than 14 doctors and 12 nurses. Apart from this, the GGH is ready to arrange another 40-bed ward for the Covid-19 patients if the number of cases go up.
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
41 snakebite cases in Bengaluru this year due to rain, urbanisation
Bengaluru: Karnataka recorded over 36 snakebite-related deaths in the past five months, twice the number reported (18) during the same period last year, according to Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) under the health and family welfare department. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Officials say this may not only reflect a real rise in incidents, but also a rise in reporting and tracking. So far this year, the state reported over 4,786 snakebite cases — a 46 per cent increase compared to 3,268 cases recorded by May 2024. Health department officials link this to a mix of factors: Ongoing rain, changing weather patterns and increasing interaction between people and wildlife. Bengaluru reported 41 cases; Shivamogga (289) recorded the most cases so far this year, followed closely by Mandya (256), Hassan and Dakshina Kannada. The highest number of deaths were reported from Chamarajanagar (5); Dharwad and Udupi saw three deaths each. A health official from Shivamogga said, "This region has a significant forest cover, and many communities here depend on forest-based livelihoods. Naturally, this brings them into closer proximity with snakes, which explains the relatively high number of snakebite cases. Our main concern is ensuring people seek timely medical help and not rely on traditional healing practices or rituals, which are still prevalent in some pockets. Awareness is growing, and our ability to report and respond to these cases is steadily improving." Ansar Ahmed, project director at IHIP, said seasonal variations are significantly contributing to the trend. "Snakes are more active during rainy season and tend to come out of their habitats in search of drier ground or prey, which increases the likelihood of encounters with humans. However, it's not just environmental factors. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Our surveillance systems are becoming more robust and we're now able to review and analyse case data with greater accuracy and depth. " A senior official in the health department said urbanisation is also contributing to the problem. "As more infrastructural changes occur near forests, lakes and fields, snakes are losing their homes. They are increasingly found in drains, small water bodies and even inside homes, while searching for prey. During heavy rain, water enters these spaces and pushes snakes into the open.
Time of India
01-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Covid-19: Wear masks in crowded places, maintain physical distancing, says Karnataka govt
Bengaluru: In the wake of recent increase in Covid-19 cases in the state, the Karnataka government on Saturday issued a public advisory, asking people to practice responsible behaviour by wearing masks in crowded places, maintaining physical distancing, and practicing good hygiene. The public advisory on Covid-19 surveillance and safety was issued by the Commissioner, Health and Family Welfare Services. "In light of the recent increase in Covid-19 cases in Karnataka, the state continues to monitor and manage Covid-19 through on-going efforts to prevent transmission, detect cases, and provide care. The Department of Health and Family Welfare requests all citizens not to panic, but stay vigilant and actively support public health efforts," the advisory said. Continued cooperation is crucial to detect and contain any new variants or potential outbreaks. "Your health is our priority," it said. The public are advised to: "Stay Alert, Not Anxious: Stay informed through official sources, avoid unverified information. Share Information with Health Staff: Inform authorities about travelers from abroad for needful followup." "Practice responsible behaviour: Wear masks in crowded places , maintain physical distancing, practice good hygiene," it further said, report symptoms early, and seek medical advice immediately if experiencing fever, cough, chest pain or breathing difficulty. Asking to support testing and surveillance, the health department said cooperate with random testing and allow sample collection for surveillance. Report unusual increases in Covid-19 like symptoms via the community monitoring tool of Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal, it said. Reiterating for surveillance at schools by keeping sick children home, monitoring pupils for symptoms, promoting hygiene, ensuring proper ventilation, the advisory stressed on hygiene and environmental awareness by practicing good hygiene, disposing of waste properly, and keeping public areas clean. Stating that the government is on alert, it said lead a normal life but follow advisories. "Call toll-free helpline number 1800 425 8330 for health advice, and 108 for emergency patient transport. Together, we can quickly identify and control potential illnesses, keeping ourselves and our people safe," it said. As of Friday evening, 234 Covid active cases have been reported in the state. Three patients with the infection, who had other comorbidities, have died since January 1.
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Karnataka steps up Covid-19 monitoring, urges vigilance
Bengaluru: In response to a recent uptick in Covid-19 cases across Karnataka, department of health and family welfare stepped up monitoring and urged citizens to remain vigilant without giving in to panic. The govt reassured public that systems are in place to detect, contain, and care for emerging cases swiftly. Citizens are encouraged to wear masks in crowded places, report symptoms like fever or breathing difficulty early, and cooperate with surveillance efforts, including random testing and school-based monitoring. The public is also urged to avoid spreading unverified information and instead rely on official updates. Authorities request residents to report international travellers, support contact tracing, and use IHIP portal for community-level symptom tracking. For health-related inquiries, the toll-free helpline 1800 425 8330 is active, and emergency transport can be reached at 108. BOX: Advisory for healthcare workers Renewed protocols were issued with key directives including rigorous ILI/SARI surveillance, mandatory RT-PCR testing for symptomatic high-risk groups, and prompt reporting on IHIP platform. Laboratory and genomic surveillance are also being ramped up. Samples from positive SARI cases must be sent to regional labs for genome sequencing. Each healthcare facility must appoint a nodal officer for infection control and reactivate hospital infection control committees. Proper use of PPE and updated infection prevention measures are mandatory.
