New Delhi: In view of the risk of H3N2 influenza outbreak in the changing season, the Delhi government on Friday issued an advisory urging children and the elderly to take special precautions and follow Covid-appropriate behaviour. This advisory has been issued by the newly appointed Health Minister of Delhi, Saurabh Bhardwaj. Although not many cases of the virus have been reported in government hospitals in Delhi, district surveillance units, health facilities and government hospitals have been given strict instructions to monitor and prevent the spread of this seasonal influenza.
Addressing a press conference, the Delhi Health Minister said, “This is the season of influenza. This type of seasonal influenza runs all over the world. At present, not many cases of influenza have been reported in government hospitals in Delhi, so we There is no need to panic and worry.”
“We just have to be careful and responsible. Patients with flu-like symptoms and severe respiratory complaints will be monitored in OPDs and IPDs of all district hospitals in Delhi to ensure early detection. If they are, they will know well in time,” he said.
Watch Delhi Health Minister’s press conference on H3N2 cases
Prevention from Corona and Influenza is the same
Delhi Govt is also issuing advisory issued by the Centre:
▪️ Elderly above 65 years—Caution for children below 5 years
▪️ Asthma or COVID, be careful
▪️Avoid crowd gathering
▪️ Don’t touch your face
▪️wash handspic.twitter.com/LvbbhTV2If— Saurabh Bharadwaj (@Saurabh_MLAgk) March 17, 2023
Bhardwaj said that currently H1N1 Influenza and H3N2 Influenza are spreading widely in the country. Generally its first peak time comes from January to March and second peak time comes at the end of monsoon. This peak declines by the end of March.
“This time many patients of Influenza are coming, whose medical history has lung diseases, serious condition due to corona and asthma, which is affecting them more. People are showing symptoms like fever, cough for a long time. Yes, increased. Production of mucus, runny nose, headache, body ache etc. Elderly above 65 years of age and children below 5 years of age need to be more careful with influenza. At the same time, people complaining of lung disease also need to be cautious. Delhi’s health minister said.
Center issues H3N2 advisory
The central government has also issued a Covid advisory in six states – Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Although Delhi is not included in these states.
Bhardwaj said that the Delhi government has got the genome sequencing done of the existing corona virus samples. “This variant is non-dangerous. But still the advisory is being issued by the Delhi government for the safety of the people. The symptoms of influenza are similar to corona infection and the protection against corona and influenza is the same. In such a situation, people should Avoid going to crowded places. If you have cough and cold, do not touch public things in public places. Keep washing hands from time to time. Do not touch nose, eyes, mouth etc.,” he said. .
He said, “If people follow these precautions, we will be able to stop Influenza as well and can also stop Corona at the very beginning. Although the variant of Corona is non-dangerous, but as a precaution Kejriwal government has also done this.” Just did.” People in Delhi have been advised to be cautious. District surveillance units, health facilities and government hospitals have been instructed to monitor the situation on a daily basis. Soon advertisements in this regard will be given in newspapers and FM radio in different languages. Through this, awareness will be spread among the people. Advertisement.”
COVID-19 vs H3N2
The symptoms of this virus are similar to the corona virus of Kovid-19. The Delhi health minister said the advisory issued by the government states that H3N2 is characterized by high fever, prolonged cough, increased mucus production, runny nose, headache, nausea, loss of appetite and body aches.
Bhardwaj said, “There can be symptoms of the virus. In the ongoing advisory, it has been said that certain people are at high risk of H3N2 influenza virus. These include patients with asthma and lung infection, elderly, pregnant women and children.” ,
Seasonal influenza is an acute respiratory tract infection caused by 4 different types – Influenza A, B, C and D belonging to the Orthomyxoviridae family.
Of these types, influenza A is the most common pathogen for humans. Globally, influenza cases are usually seen to increase during certain months of the year. India typically sees two peaks of seasonal influenza: one from January to March and the other during the post-monsoon season.
According to the Union Health Ministry, cases arising from seasonal influenza are expected to decline from the end of March. In most cases, the disease is self-limiting with symptoms of cough and cold, body aches and fever, etc. and usually resolves within a week or so.
However, potentially high-risk groups such as infants, young children, pregnant women, the elderly over 65 years of age and those with co-morbidities may experience more symptomatic illness that may also require hospitalization Is.
Disease transmission mostly occurs from person to person through large droplets produced by the act of cough and sneeze. Other modes of transmission include indirect contact by touching a contaminated object or surface (fomite transmission), and close contact including handshaking.