Need for Continuous Monitoring
Researchers at the ICMR’s National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) in Chennai have called for integrated, year-round surveillance of severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and influenza-like illness (ILI). Their findings emphasize that early detection and timely response to respiratory infections are critical to public health preparedness.
Key Findings from Tamil Nadu
Published in the Discover Health Systems journal, the study evaluated disease surveillance in four Tamil Nadu districts between 2023 and 2024. It involved over 370 stakeholders across 85 healthcare facilities and 23 laboratories. The findings reveal that although Tamil Nadu has built a strong foundation for respiratory illness surveillance, most efforts still intensify only during outbreaks or seasonal spikes—despite the fact that respiratory viruses circulate throughout the year.
Gaps in Infrastructure and Training
The study found that more than half of the surveyed facilities reported ILI/SARI cases, but only 42% regularly collected clinical samples for testing. Testing capacity remained concentrated in tertiary hospitals, leaving primary and secondary care centres under-equipped. Moreover, only a limited number of medical personnel had been trained in recognizing and reporting respiratory infections.
Digital Challenges and Private Sector Involvement
While the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) is widely used in public health facilities, the system faces issues like inconsistent data entry and overlapping reporting formats. Private hospitals and labs contribute partially to surveillance efforts, highlighting the need for stronger private sector engagement.
Call for Structured Training and Infrastructure
Dr. Rizwan Suliankatchi Abdulkader, principal investigator of the study, emphasized the importance of regular training and feedback mechanisms. He noted that community health workers often lack awareness about influenza surveillance despite existing guidelines. Structured training programs and frequent monitoring could improve data quality and disease trend analysis.
Adopting the One Health Approach
Experts also recommend adopting a ‘One Health’ approach—integrating human, animal, and environmental health sectors. Plans are underway to establish a One Health secretariat in Tamil Nadu to boost interdepartmental coordination, according to NIE Director Dr. Manoj Murhekar.
Strengthening Preparedness for Future Outbreaks
As reported by The Hindu, the researchers urge a shift from seasonal to continuous surveillance, improvement in laboratory infrastructure, and scaling up mobile reporting access. These changes will enhance India’s ability to track and respond to pandemics and respiratory threats.
Supported by the Department of Health Research, the study aims to guide policy and bolster India’s preparedness for outbreaks that could pose serious public health risks in the future.