Mumbai: Amid a rise in H3N2 influenza virus cases in Maharashtra, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation on Wednesday said that of the 32 patients admitted in Mumbai, 4 have been diagnosed with H3N2 and the remaining 28 with H1N1. “All the patients are currently in a stable condition,” the BMC said in a statement.
Amid a spike in influenza cases, the state government will hold a meeting on Thursday in the presence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis. Minister,” state health minister Tanaji Sawant informed the assembly on Wednesday.
Sawant further said that H3N2 virus has been detected in 352 patients in the state so far. Not fatal. It can be cured through proper medical treatment. There is no need to panic,” the minister said.
Two deaths due to suspected H3N2 Influenza virus infection have been reported from Nagpur, while another one has been reported from Ahmednagar district. As on March 13, 2023, the total number of patients tested for influenza in Maharashtra stood at 2,56,424. The total number of suspected patients has been reported as 1406. The number of patients suffering from swine flu virus H1N1 was 303 while the number of patients suffering from H3H2 was 58.
The number of patients admitted to the hospital so far is 48. 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 the age of 65, and people with co-morbidities may experience more symptomatic illness that may also require hospitalization. it occurs.
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.