The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has identified influenza A subtype H3N2 as the primary cause of the increase in respiratory illness in India as a result of increased cases.
According to information provided by ICMR, ICMR/DHR has developed pan respiratory virus surveillance throughout 30 VRDLs.
The increase in Influenza a H3N2 cases from December 15 is reflected in the surveillance date to date. A H3N2 was shown to have impacted around half of all inpatient severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and outpatient influenza-like diseases.
In a statement highlighting the clinical characteristics of influenza A H3N2, the ICMR noted that this subtype seems to result in a higher number of hospitalizations than other influenza subtypes.
About 92 percent of the hospitalized SARI patients with influenza A H3N2 have a fever, 86 percent cough, 27 percent have dyspnea, and 16 percent also showered clinical symptoms of pneumonia. 6 percent of the patients have seizures. Moreover, 10% of SARI patients with H3N2 needed oxygen and 7% needed ICU care “ICMR declared”.
The Dos include using soap and water to wash your hands. Wear masks if you have symptoms stay away from crowded areas, cover your mouth and nose when cough or sneeze, drink plenty of fluids, don’t touch your eyes or nose, and take paracetamol for fever and body aches “ICMR declared.
The Don’t Include spitting in public, taking antibiotics or other medications without first contacting a doctor, eating with others while seated close to them, and shaking hands or utilizing other forms of contact greetings, it was further said.
H3N2 influenza illnesses are being recorded more frequently than H1N1 influenza cases, claims Dr. Arjun Dang, CEO of Dr. Dang’s lab.
He stated: ” We’ve received over 100 samples in the recent weeks, many of which have come back positive for H3N2. Yet, it’s intriguing to note that the number of H1N1 cases is declining.
Specialist in Public health and Director of star imaging and path Lab, Dr. Sameer Bhati, said: Flu cases where H3N2 is primarily discovered after diagnosis has increased, as seen by our observations. For its validation, we use RT PCR, which involves RNA extraction from the samples and amplification utilizing RT PCR technology.
