ICMR-NIE to conduct study on Influenza like illnesses across TN

CHENNAI: With an increase in the cases of Influenza in the State, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) -National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) is conducting a study to understand the incidence of cases of influenza like illnesses in several districts of Tamil Nadu. The study is initially being conducted in four districts of Tamil Nadu namely- Thiruvarur, Madurai, Salem and Coimbatore.

Recently, the team of experts from the Indian Council of Medical Research -NIE met the officials from the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine to discuss the implementation and planning of the study.

The study will discuss the cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) and the cases of Influenza Like Illness (ILI) will be monitored for an overall surveillance of the cases.

The sources from the state health department said that the team from NIE held a preliminary discussion on implementing the Model for Integrated Influenza Surveillance in Tamil Nadu, India (MIST).

The study model will recognise the pattern of cases of influenza like illnesses and early identification of outbreaks would also be recorded.

"In order to analyse the incidence and impact of the cases, the study will also record the response of the patients in the districts. The study will record the information in specific high risk groups, overall impact on public health and the data would be used for effective management and handling of any such influenza like illnesses in future, " an official from the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine said.