H3N2 virus cases rise in India

Delhi, Maharashtra, and Karnataka issue advisory…

The Nation is observing an increase in H3N2 Influenza virus cases, with the number of cases reaching 451 till March 5, according to data shared by the health ministry.

On Friday, India’s death toll due to the new H3N2 virus climbed to nine after a 73-year-old man died in Pune’s Pimpri-Chinchwad after contracting the H3N2 influenza virus.

The govt. has issued a Covid-19 advisory in six states of India.

Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Gujarat are the states on the list.

On Friday, while the National Capital is not included in the list, it issued an advisory that children and the elderly take special precautions.

The UP government has also issued an advisory in the wake of the rise in H3N2 cases and has asked children and aged people to take precautions.

The advisory also talks about oxygen level monitoring of H3N2 patients.

Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar said there is no need to panic regarding Influenza H3N2 variant virus infection in the state, and people need to take precautions.

All the states have been asked to remain alert in the wake of the surge in the H3N2 cases in Maharashtra.

H3N2 is a non-human influenza virus that normally circulates in pigs and has infected humans.

Symptoms are similar to those of seasonal flu viruses and can include fever and respiratory symptoms such as cough and runny nose, and possibly other symptoms, including body ache, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.