Maharashtra H3N2 Deaths: Audit Report Suggests 2 Of 3 Suspected Casualties Not Due To Influenza Virus — Details

The audit report of the Maharashtra health ministry says that two of the three suspected H3N2 deaths that were earlier reported in the state have not occurred due to the virus.

H3N2 Cases: The audit report of the Maharashtra health ministry says that two of the three suspected H3N2 deaths that were earlier reported in the state have not occurred due to the virus. The audit report of the third case, which was reported from Ahmednagar, is yet to come.

Earlier on Thursday, a 73-year-old man who tested positive for the H3N2 virus died during treatment in Maharashtra's Pimpri Chinchwad. In a statement, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) said the patient was also suffering from COPD (pulmonary disease) and atrial fibrillation, ANI reported.

According to the report, the man was undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) for the last four days at the civic-run Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital.

"The man was already suffering from asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and atrial fibrillation (an irregular rapid heart rate that commonly causes poor blood flow). Two days ago, he tested positive for H3N2 (subtype of seasonal influenza)," Dr Laxman Gophane, medical officer at PCMC, told PTI.

Dr. Gophane appealed to citizens not to panic and consult doctors if they exhibit symptoms of the H3N2 virus.

"The H3N2 has basic (flu) symptoms and necessary medicines like Tamiflu (an antiviral medication used to treat influenza A and B) are available with us. If symptoms like fever, cough and cold occur, people should not ignore them. They should approach hospitals and take medication under the guidance of medical practitioners. There is no need to panic," said the medical officer.

On Wednesday, Maharashtra Health Minister Tanaji Sawant said at least two persons died due to the H3N2 virus. A 23-year-old male medical student died in Ahmednagar and a 72-year-old man passed away in Nagpur.

Both had tested positive for Covid-19 and H3N2, IANS quoted Sawant as saying.

As of Wednesday, Maharashtra has recorded 352 cases of H3N2. "We are requesting people to take all precautions and avoid engaging in self-medication, as with timely treatment, the disease is fully curable," Sawant told media persons.