H3N2: In the wake of H3N2 Influenza deaths for the first time in India, the Union Health Ministry on Friday informed that seasonal influenza cases are expected to come down by the end of March. The Ministry of Health is closely monitoring the morbidity and mortality due to the H3N2 subtype. Furthermore, the ministry claimed that young children and elderly persons with co-morbidities are the most vulnerable groups in the context of seasonal influenza.
‘The Union Health Ministry is closely monitoring the seasonal Influenza situation in various States/UTs through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) network on a real-time basis. The MoHFW on Friday claimed that so far Karnataka and Haryana have confirmed one death each from H3N2 influenza.
India sees two deaths from H3N2 influenza-causing virus
Two deaths due to H3N2 Influenza causing virus have been reported in India today. One died in Haryana while the other died in Karnataka. About 90 cases of H3N2 virus have been reported in India. Along with this, eight cases of H1N1 virus have also been found.
82-year-old Hire Gowda, who is believed to have died of H3N2 in India, is from Hassan district of Karnataka. Gowda, who was already suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure, was admitted to the hospital on February 24 and died on March 1.
H3N2 and H1N1 viruses have been identified in India
Flu cases have increased in India in the last few months. Most of these infections are caused by the H3N2 virus, also known as “Hong Kong flu”. Currently only H3N2 and H1N1 viruses have been identified in India.
As per the data shared by the ministry, from January 2 to March 5, 451 cases of H3N2 have been reported in the country. “It can be seen that Influenza H3N2 is the dominant subtype in samples testing positive for influenza since the beginning of this year,” it said. According to a statement, the ministry is also monitoring the morbidity and mortality due to H3N2 subtype of seasonal influenza.
These people are the most vulnerable
“Young children and the elderly with comorbidities are the most vulnerable groups in the context of seasonal influenza. So far, Karnataka and Haryana have confirmed one death each from H3N2 influenza,” the ministry said. Seasonal influenza is an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza virus that circulates in all parts of the world, and globally there is an increase in cases during certain months.
India sees two peaks of seasonal influenza every year
“India sees two peaks of seasonal influenza every year: one from January to March and the other in the post-monsoon season. The cases arising from seasonal influenza are expected to decline from March end. Therefore, the state surveillance authorities have to deal with Fully prepared for the public health challenge,” the ministry said in the statement. It said the ministry is monitoring and tracking cases in states through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) network on a real-time basis.
As per the latest data available on IDSP-IHIP (Integrated Health Information Platform), 3,038 laboratory-confirmed cases of different subtypes of influenza including H3N2 have been reported by states till March 9. This includes 1,245 cases in January, 1,307 in February and 486 cases till March 9, the ministry said.
Further, IDSP-IHIP data from health facilities indicates that during January, 3,97,814 cases of acute respiratory illness or influenza-like illness (ARI/ILI) were reported in the country, which increased marginally to 4,36,523 during February. Have become. Said. The number was 1,33,412 in the first nine days of March, the statement said. The corresponding data for severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) admitted cases is 7,041 cases in January, 6,919 in February and 1,866 cases during the first nine days of March.
Till February 28 this year, 955 H1N1 cases have been reported. Most of the H1N1 cases were reported from Tamil Nadu (545), while Maharashtra reported 170 cases, Gujarat 74, Kerala 42 and Punjab 28. The health facilities are administered by the IDSP and the National Center for Disease Control.