New Delhi: Influenza virus causes symptoms like fever, cough, runny nose, respiratory problems, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. The first case of H3N2 influenza virus has been reported in Assam.
First Published Mar 16, 2023, 5:07 PM IST
Influenza-H3N2 Virus: Influenza virus is currently spreading in many parts of the country. It is in this order that the central government has so far written a letter disapproving the states and union territories. It is against this background that the authorities have stated that the spread of H3N2 influenza virus has also started in Assam, a state of northeastern India. An official bulletin released by the National Health Mission (NHM) said that the first case of this type of variant has been reported recently. PTI reported that the health department is closely monitoring the situation regarding the virus.
The concerned authorities have also revealed that the health department is closely monitoring the seasonal influenza situation developing in Assam through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) network. However, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), H3N2 is a non-human influenza virus. However, it was first detected in humans in 2011. Symptoms like fever, cough, runny nose, respiratory problems, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are seen. Children under five years of age, people 65 years of age and older, pregnant women, people with chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, a weakened immune system, and neurological or neurodevelopmental conditions are at increased risk of complications from the H3N2 virus.
The Health Department organized 1000 fever camps across the state on March 10 to monitor H3N2 cases in Tamil Nadu. 200 camps were organized in Chennai alone. Tamil Nadu Health Minister M Subramanian told the media on Wednesday that there is no need to worry. Subramanian said that the situation is under control and regular antibiotics are being used to treat influenza. Dengue is also under control in the state, he said.
The government has announced the closure of schools for students up to class 8 from March 16 to March 26 in the Union Territory of Puducherry to contain the spread of the H3N2 virus. Minister A. Namashivayam made this announcement in the assembly to be applicable to government, government aided and private schools in Puducherry. He said that this decision was taken after submitting a report to Director of Health and Family Welfare Department Rangaswamy that children below 18 years of age are more susceptible to the virus. “We had a long discussion with the Chief Minister on the report of the health department. The report said that around 400 people have been infected with the H3N2 virus in the last week. They said that the majority of the victims are under 18 years of age,” said Namashivayam.
