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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.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Covid cases in India past 7,000-mark, 6 more deaths
Covid cases in India past 7,000-mark, 6 more deaths New Delhi: With six more deaths on Wednesday, the Covid toll in the country has gone up to 74. The total number of active cases in India has crossed the 7,000 mark. Of the latest fatalities, three were from Kerala, two from Karnataka and one from Maharashtra. Official sources maintained that most cases are mild and being managed under home care. At the same time, Centre has directed all states to check facility-level preparedness and ensure availability of oxygen, isolation beds, ventilators, and essential medicines as a precautionary measure. The sources had said on June 4 that state and district surveillance units under Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) are closely monitoring Influenza Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases. "Testing is recommended for all admitted SARI cases and 5 per cent of ILI cases as per guidelines and positive SARI samples are being sent for Whole Genome Sequencing through the ICMR VRDL network," they added.
New Indian Express
12-06-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Two more die of diarrhoea in Odisha's Jajpur, toll rises to four
The diarrhoea situation continued to remain grim in the affected and surrounding areas of Vyasanagar municipality, Dharmasala, Danagadi, Rasulpur and Korei blocks with the waterborne disease affecting over 500 people in the last three days. The highest number of cases has been reported from Dharmasala, which reported the first diarrhoea outbreak on Monday night following a community feast. A day later, more diarrhoea cases were reported from several villages in the neighbouring blocks, prompting the Health department to depute two state-level rapid action teams to the affected areas. Although no exact cause of the outbreak has been ascertained, local health officials said, community feasts, consumption of rotten mangoes and jackfruits and water contamination could be the primary reasons. Director of public health Dr Nilakantha Mishra said food and water samples have been collected from the affected areas and sent for tests. 'The test reports are awaited. Efforts are on to provide immediate treatment and control the outbreak,' he told The New Indian Express. Dr Mishra, along with two rapid action teams consisting of medical officers, microbiologists, epidemiologists and the joint director of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, visited the areas and monitored treatment in coordination with the CDM&PHO. Specialists from Maharaja Jajati Keshari Medical College and Hospital, Jajpur are looking into the treatment of the critical cases, while six medicine specialists from SCB MCH have also been deputed to the district. Separate teams comprising ASHA and anganwadi workers have been engaged to conduct door-to-door surveys and distribute ORS pouches, halogen tablets, medicines and awareness materials in the affected villages. The teams of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) wing have been engaged in disinfection of drinking water sources.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Sample crunch stalls genome sequencing of Covid cases
1 2 3 Ranchi: The state health department is yet to carry out a genome sequencing of the Covid 19 variant which has led to an uptick in cases in Jharkhand in the recent weeks due to lack of adequate collection of samples. "The samples necessary for genome sequencing have not yet arrived," Dr Anupa Prasad, of the microbiology department of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (Rims) said. Health department officials said 27 samples were tested for Covid 19 on Wednesday in the district. Of them, seven returned positive, bringing the total number of active cases in the state to 16. Since May 24, a total of 432 samples were tested, with 31 cumulative positive cases reported. According to experts, genome sequencing can be conducted with more than 75 samples. However, a match requires 96 samples for optimal processing and matching. Experts highlighted that genome sequencing is essential to track mutations in the virus, assess the nature and speed of transmission, and guide public health strategies, including vaccination and containment measures. Ranchi civil Surgeon Dr Prabhat Kumar said, "Samples for genome sequencing can be sent to Rims, which is the designated centre for conducting genome analysis in the state. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like IIT Delhi AI Programme IITD TAILP Apply Now Undo Health officials are collecting eligible samples, especially those from positive patients with unusual symptoms or severe illness. However, no plan has been made till now for genome sequencing." Moreover, all district surveillance officers (DSOs) under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) in the state have been directed to ensure daily reporting of Covid 19, influenza-like illness (ILI), and severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) cases on the integrated health information portal. The directive by the health department mandates both govt and private health facilities to input data on suspected and confirmed Covid 19 cases daily. In addition to portal entry, districts are required to share the same data by 5 pm daily via the official IDSP Jharkhand WhatsApp group. Additional chief secretary (health) Ajoy Kumar Singh said, "All govt and private hospitals have been asked to enable timely trend analysis and ensure effective surveillance and response to emerging Covid 19 cases across the state."
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
3 more Covid deaths, toll up to 68
New Delhi: India's Covid toll reached 68 on Tuesday with a death each being reported from Delhi, Kerala and Jharkhand. All three victims suffered from co-morbidities. Significantly, the death in Jharkhand is the first reported from the state in the latest Covid wave. In Delhi, tests after the death of a 90-year-old woman with co-morbidities that included chronic kidney disease revealed she also had Covid-19. The victim in Jharkhand was a 44-year-old man, while Kerala saw a 79-year-old man with a history of cardiac and stroke issues succumbing to the infection. In terms of active cases, Kerala continues to be the most affected state, followed by Gujarat, West Bengal and Delhi, according to the health ministry. However, Maharashtra has reported the maximum number of Covid deaths this year. Official sources maintained that most cases are mild and being managed under home care. However, due to the rising number of infections, directives have been issued to all states to check facility-level preparedness and ensure availability of oxygen, isolation beds, ventilators, and essential medicines. The sources said on June 4 that state and district surveillance units under Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) are closely monitoring Influenza Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases. "Testing is recommended for all admitted SARI cases and 5 percent of ILI cases as per guidelines and positive SARI samples are being sent for Whole Genome Sequencing through the ICMR VRDL network," they added.
