Lucknow: On Wednesday, two people were feared dead due to H3N2 influenza in Maharashtra. State Health Minister Tanaji Sawant told the assembly that one of them, a 74-year-old man, died of H3N2 subtype, while the other victim was infected with COVID-19 as well as influenza virus. Sawant said that with 361 cases of influenza infection being reported in the state, the state’s health system has been put on alert and guidelines will be issued in the next two days.
Meanwhile, the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has issued an advisory and put all medical facilities on alert in view of rising cases of H3N2 virus across the state. In its advisory, the state government has asked children and the elderly to take adequate precautions. The Health Department has issued an alert in 75 districts and a team consisting of a health expert, a physician, an epidemiologist, a pathologist, a lab technician and a microbiologist has been formed in each district.
For this, a separate nodal officer will also be nominated in each district. The state government has also issued guidelines asking the officials to be vigilant about influenza-like cases.
H3N2 advisory of UP government
A 10-bed isolation ward will be made in every district hospital, while there will be a separate room in the OPD for suspected patients of influenza so that they can be prevented from coming in contact with other patients.
-Oseltamivir should be given to H3N2 patients.
The state government said that a list of helpline numbers has been released.
Children, the elderly and people with severe symptoms will be closely monitored.
People have been urged to start wearing masks in public places to protect themselves from the virus.
The state government said that information about H3N2 influenza will be provided by the state using helpline numbers.
The health department has asked the medical staff to be alert and provide medical assistance to the patients.
H3N2 status in UP
Although the situation in UP is not alarming, the number of people infected with the virus is increasing in the state. Eight children suffering from pneumonitis have been admitted to the hospital in Kanpur in the last 24 hours. Children have been admitted to the PICU built in the maternity ward of Halat Hospital.
PICU has been opened due to the admission of more children in the maternity block 100 bed children’s hospital. All the children are complaining of difficulty in breathing along with high fever.
The number of patients with symptoms of Influenza H3N2 is increasing in Barabanki. Patients have been admitted on 230 beds in the Kovid ward set up in the CHC from the district hospital.
Doctors say H3N2 is attacking children and the elderly
The H3N2 virus is attacking children and the elderly, so it’s time again to follow the Covid protocols – wearing masks, social distancing and following all other rules made during the pandemic, doctors in Rajasthan says that cases are increasing in the state. Many children and the elderly are falling prey to this virus and are recovering in about 10 to 12 days. Also, 7 per cent of the children are admitted in the ICU, health experts said.
This virus belongs to the category of flu, but its effect is being seen by damaging the lungs along with corona i.e. fever.
These viruses become active with the change in weather and are spreading rapidly. While earlier the fever usually lasted for 3-4 days, but in these cases the fever is not getting better even in 6-7 days. However, it is a matter of relief that 95 percent of the cases are not serious. However, doctors said that some patients are developing a pneumonia-like condition.
Saxena said that in patients affected by these viruses, cough starts after fever and it lasts for a long time. The cough is very strong and it is taking 10 to 12 days to get cured.
Doctors say that in some patients infected with H3N2 virus, more infection is spreading in the lungs. Due to this, the situation of pneumonia is also being created. Often in the case of elderly or small children, they also need to be admitted to the hospital when the condition worsens.
COVID appropriate behavior necessary to deal with H3N2 virus: Top health experts
Protecting high risk population with COVID appropriate behavior is essential to combat rising cases of influenza caused by H3N2 virus, Dr. Randeep Guleria, Chairman, Institute of Internal Medicine, Respiratory & Sleep Medicine, Director-Medical Education, Medanta he said. Tuesday Guleria, who also headed the National Covid Task Force, said the H3N2 virus can cause severe illness in the elderly, young children and people with comorbidities.
Therefore, it is essential to follow appropriate behavior such as using masks, washing hands, avoiding crowded places, getting vaccinated, and staying healthy in terms of good diet and good physical activity.