Following reports of 41 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus (nCoV), including one death in Wuhan, China, earlier this month, India has stepped up surveillance and preventive measures to keep any outbreak in the country at bay.

Coronavirus is a large family of viruses, which cause illnesses ranging from common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). They also circulate in animals including camels, cats and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can also evolve and infect people, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said.

The union health ministry has instructed screening of international travelers, those arriving from China, at designated airports--Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata--via thermal scanners. The ministry has also reached out to the ministry of external affairs, and immigration officers to ensure the said airports have been sensitised.

“In coordination with Ministry of Civil Aviation, in-flight announcements are also being made. A travel advisory has also been issued to the passengers travelling to and from China on the issue," Preeti Sudan, secretary, union ministry of health and family welfare.

Harsh Vardhan, union minister of health and family welfare, on Friday said the government has been closely monitoring the situation and the ministry is reviewing preparedness in India.

According to the WHO, the situation is still evolving and preliminary investigations suggest link to the sea food.

Meetings of the Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) were convened under the chairmanship of Director General of Health Services (DGHS) on 8 and 15 January, 2020, with representations from various stakeholders including health and non-health sectors along with and WHO.

“The public health preparedness is being reviewed on day-to-day basis and the core capacities to timely detect and manage importation of the nCoV into the country are being strengthened further," Sudan said. “The situation is being monitored in consultation with WHO and keeping in view the limited human to human transmission the risk at global level is perceived to be low."

The health ministry has also issued directions to all concerned on laboratory diagnosis, surveillance, infection prevention and control (IPC) and risk communication. Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) is geared up for community surveillance and contact tracing. The National Institute of Virology (NIV) Pune, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Laboratory is coordinating the testing of samples for nCoV in the country.

“The hospital preparedness with regard to management and infection prevention control facilities has been also reviewed during high level meetings and advisories, and IPC Guidelines have been shared with the States," an official statement issued by the union health ministry said. “Adequate stocks of logistics including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is available. State governments have also been advised on the necessary precaution to be taken up on the issue."

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