H3N2 Virus In India

H3N2 Virus In India

Blog Credit:             Trupti Thakur

Image Courtesy:     Google

 

According to WHO, H3N2 is a subtype of Influenza A virus which majorly affects humans. Here are the sympoms of H3N2 influenza you should not ignore. A sharp rise in H3N2 influenza cases has been reported in India. The virus leads to respiratory symptoms including persistent cough and many more.

According to data provided by the government, 3,038 cases of this type have been reported in India, data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Project suggests. This includes 1,245 cases in January, 1,307 in February and 486 in March. However, it is worth noting that H3N2 has been reported in previous years also and this is not a novel outbreak.

With Karnataka and Haryana reporting one death each of patients suffering from the H3N2 subtype of the influenza A virus, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya held a review meeting to discuss preparedness in view of the rising cases. The Centre on Friday issued an advisory to states.

In Karnataka, Hire Gowda, 82, from Alur taluk in Hassan district, died on March 1. The 82-year-old, who was hypertensive and asthmatic, was admitted to a hospital on February 24 after he complained of cough and cold. Lab reports confirming that he was infected with the H3N2 virus came on March 3, two days after his death.

In Haryana’s Jind district, a 56-year-old who was suffering from lung cancer, tested positive for H3N2 infection in January at PGIMS, Rohtak, and died at home on February 8.

 

“Government of India is working with States & extending support for public health measures to address the situation,” Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said in a tweet.

 

Talking to the media about the state’s preparedness in tackling cases of H3N2 infections, Vij said, “People need not panic. So far, 10 cases of this infection have come to light in Haryana. One patient has died in Jind district, but he was also suffering from lung cancer. Directions have been issued to the health department to ascertain if he died due to lung cancer or the H3N2 infection. State’s health infrastructure is robust and fully equipped to tackle any exigency”.

Data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, which tracks cases of severe acute respiratory illnesses across sentinel hospitals, shows that there has been an increase in cases of the H3N2 subtype of influenza, which accounts for 77% of all influenza cases reported over the last four weeks.

Doctors say that persistent cough, lasting two to four weeks, is the most prominent symptom of influenza.

“Cases of seasonal influenza are reported every year and the H3N2 subtype is also not new. But this year we are seeing an increase in the number of cases and this could be because of several reasons – people doing away with masks that protected them not only from Covid-19 but also other respiratory infections like influenza, the pandemic preventing children from developing immunity through repeated exposure, and also increased awareness among people,” said Dr Pragya Yadav, senior scientist from the National Institute of Virology-Pune.

Information provided by the Indian Council of Medical Research says that the H3N2 subtype seems to be leading to more hospitalizations as compared to other influenza subtypes. Of the patients with H3N2, 27% reported breathlessness, 16% had clinical signs of pneumonia, and 6% had seizures. Around 10% of the patients needed oxygen support and 7% required ICU care, as per the data provided by the government.

 

 

How is it spread?

The extremely contagious H3N2 influenza can be transmitted from one person to another through droplets released when coughing, sneezing, or talking by an infected individual. It can also spread if someone touches their mouth or nose after contacting a surface that has the virus on it.

 

The 1968 pandemic was caused by an influenza A (H3N2) virus comprised of two genes from an avian influenza A virus, including a new H3 hemagglutinin, but also contained the N2 neuraminidase from the 1957 H2N2 virus. It was first noted in the United States in September 1968.

 

Is there treatment for H3N2v?

Yes. The same influenza antiviral drugs used to treat seasonal flu can treat H3N2v in children and adults. The currently recommended drugs – oseltamivir, zanamivir, peramivir, and baloxavir – are available by prescription from your doctor. Doctors suggest that taking proper rest and drinking lots of fluids, when an individual develop the symptoms can help recover faster. Doctors suggest that patients can use painkillers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to lower fever as a part of the H3N2 influenza treatment regimen so as to avoid the Symptoms of H3N2 influenza include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. In some cases, people may also experience vomiting and diarrhoea. The symptoms usually last for about a week, but some people may experience them for longer.

H3N2v is a non-human influenza virus that normally circulates in pigs and that has infected humans. Viruses that normally circulate in pigs are “swine influenza viruses.” When these viruses infect humans, they are termed “variant” viruses.

 

Blog By: Trupti Thakur