Puducherry: Influenza cases of H3N2 sub variant are being reported in high numbers in Puducherry. In the background of increasing cases of influenza, the authorities are taking action. Officials said that the health department has made all arrangements in hospitals and primary health centers to prevent people from panicking and to check the increasing number of cases.
First Published Mar 16, 2023, 9:38 AM IST
H3N2 flu-influenza virus: 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.
He said that although the situation remains bad due to the spread of the virus, the health of the patients is not serious. He said that the number of people admitted to the hospitals is less. The doctors said that they are suffering from fever, sore throat and cough and they are treating such symptoms with common medicines. The report of the health department said that the same situation will continue till March 31, and in this order, the government will discuss the same issue and to prevent the spread of the virus and to protect the children, they are giving a holiday for 10 days to all classes up to the 8th class. Namashivayam told reporters that the holiday was announced based on the report of the virus outbreak. He said that the cases are increasing due to the spread of influenza in Puducherry for the past few days.
In Tamil Nadu too..
The health department organized 1000 fever camps across the state on March 10 to monitor H3N2 cases in neighboring 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.
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.
