India Witnesses Its First H3N2 Deaths Amid Increase In Number Of Cases Across Country. Top Developments

The cases of fever and flu, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), are caused by Influenza A subtype H3N2. These are the most recent developments since the virus's spread.

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The country recently witnessed its first death cases caused by the H3N2 influenza virus in Karnataka and Haryana, and several states across the country have reported a high number of influenza cases in the last two-three months, with symptoms including a persistent cough, sometimes accompanied by fever.

The instances of fever and flu, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), are caused by Influenza A subtype H3N2.

Dr. Dhiren Gupta of Ganga Ram Hospital explained why the virus is spreading post-pandemic: "Since 2 years due to Covid there has been no exposure to influenza to children, as a result of this the sudden outbreak of H3N2 virus, which is a normal variant of influenza variant, has caused the increase in the number of cases in children."

He added: "The H3N2 is antigenic drift & a mild mutation, but is not life-threatening. Whichever virus it is if there’s comorbidity then the chances of death are high. The vaccine against H3N2 has less efficacy & our vaccination is low this year".

Delhi | Since 2 years because of Covid there was no exposure of influenza to children, because of this the sudden outbreak of H3N2 virus which a normal variant of influenza variant has caused increase in number of cases in children: Dhiren Gupta, Ganga Ram Hospital on H3N2 virus pic.twitter.com/AmFL9Ykd9j

— ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2023

Here're the top developments since the spread of the virus in recent days: 

Octogenarian From Karnataka's Hassan District Becomes First Victim Of H3N2:

An 82-year-old man became the first casualty of the H3N2 virus in Karnataka on Friday, news agency PTI reported citing a health department official. 

According to the Hassan District Health Officer, Hire Gowda died on March 1 as a result of the infection, the report said. 

Centre Says Seasonal Influenza Cases Likely To Decline From March-End

The Union health ministry said on Friday that it is keeping a careful eye on the situation and that cases are likely to fall by the end of the month. India has registered its first two deaths attributable to seasonal influenza subtype H3N2, one each from Karnataka and Haryana.

According to data given by the government, 451 instances of H3N2 were detected in the country between January 2 and March 5.

"It can be shown that since the beginning of this year, Influenza H3N2 is the prevalent subtype among the samples testing positive for influenza," it stated. According to a statement, the ministry is also tracking and closely monitoring morbidity and death owing to the H3N2 subtype of seasonal influenza.

Experts Say 'No Need To Panic, Increase Precaution'

Experts have urged for heightened surveillance and precautionary measures, but have also reassured the public that there is no need to worry just yet.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention, H3N2 is a non-human influenza virus that generally circulates in pigs and has infected people. Symptoms are similar to seasonal flu viruses and might include fever, respiratory symptoms like coughing and running nose, and perhaps additional symptoms including body discomfort, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea.

As concerns mounted and some people wondered whether this could possibly turn out to be another Covid, pulmonologist Anurag Agrawal said he doesn’t expect to see a massive wave, PTI reported. 

"Hospital visit has not been particularly prevalent, with just approximately 5 per cent of cases reported to be hospitalised," Tarun Sahani, senior consultant, internal medicine, Apollo Hospitals told PTI. 

Centre Raises Concern Over Gradual Increase In Covid Positivity Rate

With a surge in seasonal influenza subtype H3N2 infections, the Centre raised alarm on Saturday over a progressive increase in the COVID-19 positive rate in several areas, saying it needed to be handled immediately.

The Centre asked all states and union territories to adopt operational guidelines for integrated monitoring of respiratory pathogens manifesting as influenza-like illness (ILI) or severe acute respiratory infection (SARI).

The states were also asked to assess hospital readiness, such as the availability of medications and medical oxygen, as well as vaccine coverage against COVID-19 and influenza.

Puducherry Records 79 Cases Of H3N2 Influenza As Of Now

A health official said on Saturday that Puducherry has reported 79 instances of influenza of the virus H3N2 subtype so far, PTI reported. 

The Union Territory's Director of Medical Services, G Sriramulu, noted in a press release that the number of H3N2 cases, a subtype of seasonal influenza, had been registered in Puducherry till March 4, however, there had been no deaths owing to the virus in the UT until now.

59 H3N2 Influenza Cases Detected In Odisha In two Months

According to authorities, 59 of the 225 samples taken in Odisha in January and February tested positive for H3N2 influenza, as per a PTI report. 

"A total of 59 H3N2 influenza infections were detected in Odisha out of the 225 samples collected in the months of January and February," Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar Director Sanghamitra Pati told PTI.

(With Inputs From PTI)