Nagaland’s Health & Family Welfare department has issued a fresh advisory on COVID-19 (XBB 1.16) and Influenza H3N2 amid rising cases of Respiratory Tract Infections in the country.

The department stated that though the last positive case reported in Nagaland was on the 11 February 2023, surveillance has been intensified and all the Rapid Response Teams are put on alert. Further, it encouraged the public to test if exhibiting signs and symptoms of Respiratory Tract Infections.

Department of H&FW added that there was no report of increased severity and requested the public not to panic but to be vigilant.

It reiterated the importance of limiting and reducing transmission of Respiratory Tract Infections, stating that inadequate attention to personal hygiene, sneezing and coughing without protection nearby of other people, closed-door gatherings, etc., contribute to increased transmission of viral respiratory pathogens like Influenza A (H1N1, H3N2, etc.) including COVID-19.

While most of these pathogens typically cause mild and often self-limiting illness manifesting as acute respiratory infection with fever and cough, in some cases, particularly amongst young children, old age people, people with obesity, and other co-morbidities (like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, chronic renal and liver disease, etc.) as well as pregnant women may suffer from a more severe manifestation of these diseases requiring hospitalization.

Therefore, to limit the transmission of these diseases, the following needs to be adhered to;

Respiratory and Hand Hygiene

Covering one’s mouth and nose with tissue/handkerchief/elbow when coughing or sneezing.

Avoiding spitting in public places.

Use of Masks in crowded environments.

Frequent hand washing.

Early reporting of symptoms to Health Care Workers to initiate early care and treatment.

Limiting contact with those people who are suffering from respiratory illness.