Dangerous H3N2 virus in India, two deaths in Kerala and Haryana IG News

New Delhi- Two people have died in the country so far due to H3N2 influenza. Official government sources gave this information to News18 on Friday. One death was reported in Karnataka, while the other death due to H3N2 flu occurred in Haryana, he said. A total of 90 cases of H3N2 flu and eight cases of H1N1 have been reported in the country so far. Sources said that India has detected these two strains of influenza virus currently circulating in the population.

Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar had said that there is no need to panic over the infection of influenza A H3N2 variant virus in the state. He also said that guidelines will be issued soon to caution people and orders will be issued for health workers in all hospitals to wear face masks compulsorily.

Sudhakar had said on March 6 that 26 people had tested H3N2 positive in the state and two of these cases were from Bengaluru. He said that children under 15 years of age are more at risk from the H3N2 variant and this variant also infects people over 60 years of age.

The cause of cough and fever is sub-variant H3N2 of ‘Influenza A’

Earlier in March, experts from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had said that the ‘H3N2′ subtype is the cause of persistent cough and in some cases fever in India for the past two-three months. Influenza A.’ is ICMR scientists said that H3N2, which has been circulating widely for the past two-three months, is a major cause of hospitalization of patients compared to other subtypes.

The IMA warns against the use of antibiotics

On the other hand, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has cautioned against overuse of antibiotics amid rising cases of cough, cold and nausea across the country. The IMA said that the seasonal fever will last for five to seven days. A standing committee of the IMA said that the fever will disappear in three days, but the cough may persist for up to three weeks.

The medical association recommends avoiding crowded places, good hand and respiratory hygiene practices, and getting a flu shot. AIIMS Center for Community Medicine Professor Harshal R. Salve said that flu virus outbreaks are increasing due to the weather.