Karnataka Govt Calls High-Level Meeting With Experts Amid Rise In Influenza A Subtype 'H3N2' Cases

The Indian Council on Medical Research (ICMR) on Saturday confirmed that the rise in high fever and cough cases in the country is caused by 'H3N2' variant of Influenza A subtype

Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar.

Source : Twitter/@mla_sudhakar

A day after the Indian Council on Medical Research (ICMR) confirmed that the rise in high fever and cough cases in the country is caused by 'H3N2' variant of Influenza A subtype, the State government in Karnataka has called for a high-level meeting with the health department officials and experts on Monday to discuss the spread of the flu variant and identify treatment methods for the infection amid rise in cases.

While speaking to the reporters, Health Minister K Sudhakar said that the Centre's guidelines in this regard will be adhered to. "On Saturday, the Union Health Ministry communicated to us (state) to pay attention to it (H3N2). Our Health Commissioner and Principal Secretary have held discussions regarding this. A meeting has been called tomorrow regarding the precautionary measures to be taken," Sudhakar said.

Addressing reporters, he said, "As of now there are no such cases reported in Karnataka, but according to initial reports one of the symptoms is persistent cough. What measures to be taken when such cases come in, and treatment methods to be adopted, will be discussed in tomorrow's meeting along with experts, and the Centre's guidelines will be followed."

A persistent cough, sometimes accompanied by fever, running through India for the past two-three months is due to Influenza A subtype H3N2, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) experts have said.

The H3N2, which has been in wide circulation for the past two-three months, causes more hospitalisations than other subtypes, said ICMR scientists who keep a close watch on ailments caused by respiratory viruses through the Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories network.

They have also suggested a list of Dos and Don’ts for people to follow and protect themselves from contracting the virus.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA), on the other hand, has advised against indiscriminate use of antibiotics amid rising cases of cough, cold and nausea across the country.

Seasonal fever will last five to seven days, it noted. The fever goes away at the end of three days, but the cough can persist for up to three weeks, the IMA’s Standing Committee for Anti-Microbial Resistance said.

(With PTI inputs)