New Delhi: Several patients have reported a rise in flu cases with symptoms including high grade fever and persistent cough, said the Indian Medical Association on Saturday, while cautioning against use of antibiotics.
The mounting infections are due to the H3N2 influenza virus, which lasts between five to seven days, the association said in a statement on Twitter, noting that it is seasonal.
Recent data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) also shows that H3N2 - a sub-type of the influenza virus - has been in wide circulation for the last two-three months. "A sudden increase in the number of patients having symptoms of cough, nausea, vomiting, sore throat fever, bodyache and diarrhoea in some cases," the IMA wrote on Twitter. "While fever goes away at the end of three days, coughs can persist for three weeks," it added, advising doctors to avoid prescribing antibiotics to such patients. Further, the IMA said that the cases are typically seen in people over the age of 50 and below 15. Some are also reporting upper respiratory infection along with fever. "Air pollution" is also a precipitating factor.
It advised medical practitioners to give only symptomatic treatment as there is no need for antibiotics. The IMA pointed out that people have started taking antibiotics like Athreycin and Amoxiclav etc without caring for dose and frequency and they stop once they start feeling better. They added that "this needs to be stopped as it leads to antibiotic resistance." "Whenever there will be a real use of antibiotics, they will not work due to the resistance," the IMA wrote.
The medical association advised avoiding crowded places, practising good hand and respiratory hygiene practices as well as flu vaccination. Harshal R. Salve, Professor at the Centre for Community Medicine, AIIMS, said the increase in the transmission of flu virus is due to abrupt "climatic conditions currently prevalent".
"Serological surveillance through established mechanisms in the public health system by the government is essential to determine serotype of the virus and its endemic," Salve told IANS. Doctors from Primus Hospital, Chanakyapuri, noted that patients with asthma, and those with severe lung infections are finding difficulty in breathing. Elderly people, children and pregnant women are most vulnerable to getting infected. Therefore, they must remain extra cautious while venturing outside, the doctors said. "Patients having chronic ailments like asthma have to be extra cautious during such weather transitions as it can trigger severe respiratory issues and asthma attacks. During this time, even a minor respiratory problem must be reported to a pulmonologist or a physician to reduce the risk of escalating the problem," Chhabra added.
—IANS

Several patients have reported a rise in flu cases with symptoms including high grade fever and persistent cough, said the Indian Medical Association on Saturday, while cautioning against use of antibiotics.

H3N2 Flu Virus On Rise, IMA Advises Against Antibiotic Use

New Delhi: With the confirmation of India's first two deaths from the H3N2 influenza virus, experts are calling for intensified monitoring and precautionary steps to combat the spread of the disease.
Hire Gowda, 82, a diabetic and hypertensive from Karnataka, passed away on March 1 from complications related to the H3N2 seasonal influenza subtype. A second fatality, a 56-year-old lung cancer patient, was reported from Haryana.
The ministry stated on Friday that there have been 451 confirmed cases of H3N2 in the country since January 2. It also added that it is closely monitoring the situation and that it anticipates a drop in reported cases by the end of the month.—Inputs from Agencies

With the confirmation of India's first two deaths from the H3N2 influenza virus, experts are calling for intensified monitoring and precautionary steps to combat the spread of the disease.

While India reports two H3N2 virus deaths, experts advise care but not panic

New Delhi: Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan in a letter to the States and Union Territories on Saturday expressed his concerns over the rising trend in other Influenza-like Illnesses &amp; Severe Acute Respiratory Illnesses (ILIs/SARIs) being witnessed in some States/UTs across the country.
In the letter Bhushan said that it is important to raise community awareness regarding adherence to respiratory and hand hygiene, promoting early reporting of symptoms, and limiting the contact of those people who are suffering from respiratory illness. "In the present season, a variety of weather conditions and behavioural reasons (like less than adequate attention to personal hygiene, sneezing and coughing without proper protection in close proximity of other people, closed indoor gatherings of people, etc.) make the environment conducive to the circulation of a number of viral respiratory pathogens like Influenza A (H1N1, H3N2 etc.), Adenoviruses, etc," said Bhushan in the letter. He added that special care should be taken in the case of young children, old age people and people suffering from co-morbidities who are particularly at risk and vulnerable to H1N1, H3N2, Adenoviruses, etc.
Bhushan also added that the gradual rise in COVID-19 test positivity rates in some States is a concerning issue that needs to be promptly addressed.
"Despite the low number of new cases, equally low number of hospitalisations and significant advances made in terms of COVID-19 vaccination coverage, there is still a need to remain vigilant and focus on the five-fold strategy of test-track-treat-vaccination and adherence to COVID appropriate behaviour," Bhushan said.
"In order to limit transmission of these diseases, it is important to raise community awareness regarding adherence to respiratory and hand hygiene, promoting early reporting of symptoms, and limiting the contact of those people who are suffering from respiratory illness," Bhushan mentioned in his letter.
Bhushan also instructed the States/District Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) units to monitor the proportion of SARI cases among all ILI&amp; SARI cases in their respective areas, and refer the sufficient number of samples for testing for Influenza, SARS-COV-2 and Adenovirus.
"It would also be useful to take a stock of hospital preparedness including drugs, medical equipment, medical oxygen, etc., capacity building of human resources on existing guidelines as well as vaccination coverage against COVID-19 and Influenza," added Bhushan. Finally, Bhushan added that the Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare will continue to closely follow the evolving situation and shall provide all required assistance if needed.
—ANI

 Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan in a letter to the States and Union Territories on Saturday expressed his concerns over the rising trend in other Influenza-like Illnesses & Severe Acute Respiratory Illnesses (ILIs/SARIs) being witnessed in some States/UTs across the country.

Union Health Secy Writes To States, UTs Over Rising H1N1, H3N2 Cases

Lucknow: The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has put all medical facilities on alert in view of rising cases of H3N2 virus in the state.
The health department has issued an alert in the state and a separate nodal officer will soon be nominated for this in every district.
The state government has also issued guidelines, asking officials to be vigilant about influenza-like illness.
According to the official spokesman, a 10-bed isolation ward will be set up in every district hospital while OPD will also have a separate room for patients suspected of influenza, so that they can be prevented from coming in contact with other patients. Special vigilance will be in place for children, the elderly and those with serious illness.
The spokesman said that though the situation in UP was not alarming, care was being taken because the number of people infected with the virus is increasing in the state. In the past 24 hours, eight children suffering from pneumonitis have been admitted to the hospital in Kanpur. Children have been admitted to the PICU built in the maternity block of Hallet Hospital. The PICU has been opened due to the admission of more children than the capacity in the maternity block 100-bed paediatrics. All children are complaining of difficulty in breathing with high fever.
In Barabanki, the number of patients with symptoms of influenza H3N2 is increasing.
Patients have been admitted on 230 beds from the district hospital to the Covid ward set up in the CHC. Health officials have appealed to people to start wearing masks in public places in order to save themselves from the virus. —IANS

The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has put all medical facilities on alert in view of rising cases of H3N2 virus in the state.

UP Health Officials On Alert As H3N2 Cases Rise

Mumbai: In a major public health concern, at least two persons have died in Maharashtra due to the H3N2 virus infection, Health Minister Tanaji Sawant said here on Wednesday.
The first death of a 23-year-old male medical student occurred in Ahmednagar and the second death of a 72-year-old man has been reported from Nagpur, and both had tested Covid-19 positive plus multiple ailments, he said.
Besides, there is a third suspected death due to H3N2 from Nagpur, but the official confirmation is awaited.
No far, the state has notched 352 cases of H3N2 patients who are under treatment in different hospitals, said Sawant.
"We are requesting people to take all precautions and avoid engaging in self-medication, as with timely treatment, the disease is fully curable," Sawant told media persons.
In both the cases, the victims were suffering from various ailments including Covid-19 and H3N2 and the exact causes of their deaths would be available in another 24 hours, he added.
Among the symptoms of H3N2 are prolonged fever with body aches, cough, running nose, and in extreme cases, even breathlessness or wheezing and health authorities advise immediate treatment. —IANS

In a major public health concern, at least two persons have died in Maharashtra due to the H3N2 virus infection, Health Minister Tanaji Sawant said here on Wednesday.

Scare As 2 Succumb To H3N2 Virus In Maha, Another Death To Be Confirmed

New Delhi: India is currently seeing a surge in respiratory illness commonly characterised by cough, body ache, fever, and sore throat. But how to know whether it is influenza, caused by H3N2 virus, or Covid, caused by Omicron sub-variants XBB.1.16 and XBB.1.5?
According to data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), there has been a combination of respiratory viruses ranging from Covid-19 virus, swine flu (H1N1), H3N2, and the seasonal Victoria and Yamagata lineages of influenza B viruses in circulation.
H3N2 and H3N1 are both types of influenza A viruses, commonly known as the flu. Some of the most common symptoms include prolonged fever, cough, running nose, &amp; body pain. But in severe cases, people may also experience breathlessness and/or wheezing.
In addition, Covid is also on the rise. More than 700 Covid-19 cases were recorded in a day after a gap of over four months, taking the active caseload to 4,623, according to Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday.
Health experts note that it is very difficult to differentiate between the clinical manifestations of the three, and the differentiation is generally based on a laboratory diagnosis from a nasopharyngeal swab sample.
"The only difference is that in the present clinical scenario, Covid symptoms barely last for 2-3 days and the patient recovers soon without any hassles and any major treatment," Dr. Samrat Shah, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital told IANS.
"Whereas with H3N2 and H1N1 has more predilection for productive and wet coughs which lasts longer for a few weeks and has more chances of getting pneumonia or a secondary bacterial infection," Shah added.
As per Dr Sanjith Saseedharan, Consultant &amp; Head-Critical Care, S.L. Raheja Hospital, Mahim, there is "an increase in throat irritation and hoarseness of voice among people affected with H3N2, which goes on for two to three weeks".
"Those diagnosed with Covid19 are generally manifesting a stuffy nose and a fever that lasts for three to four days," he told IANS. Influenza is not fatal. But irrespective of the virus if there is a major comorbid factor there are more chances of morbidity and mortality. The risk is also high for young children, infants, adults with comorbidities, elderly people over the age of 65 years, patients who are pregnant, patients who are immunocompromised, etc.
The total number of deaths due to H3N2 in the country has now reached nine, according to media reports. The Health Ministry, however, is yet to release the official death toll. On the other hand, a total of 754 new Covid cases were reported in a span of 24 hours, while the death toll has increased to 5,30,790 with one fatality reported by Karnataka, as per the Health Ministry data updated at 8 a.m. on Thursday. The doctors stated that coupled with the changing weather, pollution is also playing a pivotal role in multiplying the patient numbers impacted by viral infections.
"Some of the environmental factors contributing to the increase in cases are poor air quality and excessive construction pollution. The only way to prevent this influenza virus complication is by vaccinating once a year with the quadrivalent flu vaccine," Shah said.
The health experts advised people to follow Covid appropriate behaviours such as using masks, maintaining hand hygiene and avoiding crowded places. They also stressed on the need for an annual flu shot.
"Annual flu shot of influenza would help in preventing the disease or at least the severity of the disease even if you do contact the disease. Unfortunately, the influenza vaccine nation coverage in India is not adequate which might actually explain the rising cases of this particular virus all across," Dr. Umang Agrawal, Infectious Diseases Consultant from PD Hinduja Hospital &amp; MRC, Mahim, said. —IANS

India is currently seeing a surge in respiratory illness commonly characterised by cough, body ache, fever, and sore throat. But how to know whether it is influenza, caused by H3N2 virus, or Covid, caused by Omicron sub-variants XBB.1.16 and XBB.1.5?

Is Your Cough, Fever Due To H3N2 Virus Or Covid?

New Delhi: The 38th meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) held on Saturday discussed the preparedness for any earthquake in the city and the ongoing H3N2 Flu situation.  The meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Lt. Governor V.K. Saxena.  Vice Chairman of DDMA, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Revenue Minister Kailash Gehlot apart from the Chief Secretary, Special Commissioner (Police), Divisional Commissioner, Secretary (Health), VC, DDA, Commissioner MCD and top representatives of Army, NDMA, NIDM, National Institute of Seismology and all District Magistrates were present in the meeting.  Held in the wake of the disastrous earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, the meeting took stock of the preparedness and deliberated upon charting and augmenting the way forward, in case of an earthquake in the city which fell in the 'High Damage Risk Zone IV' on the seismic map of India. The prevalent situation of H3N2 Flu, H1N1 Flu and Covid-19 were also discussed in the meeting.  Stressing that disasters did not give prior information before manifesting themselves, the Lt. Governor emphasised upon the need to be completely prepared to face eventuality, even if it entailed erring on the side of caution. Recounting his experience of the Gujarat earthquake that had caused widespread destruction, Saxena said that Delhi needed to be fully prepared to handle any disaster and preparations to this effect should be put in place from today (Saturday) itself.  The Lt. Governor asked for retrofitting of all schools, hospitals, police stations, other critical government offices and vulnerable buildings especially in the 'Special Area' and old Delhi localities, according to the Earthquake Resilient Building Code. He also asked to identify open spaces across the Capital for rescue operations in the event of an earthquake and also the hospital at the level of every District and Sub Division for emergency response.  Saxena said that works should be started on the same in a time-bound manner.  The Chief Minister stressed upon the need to compile and tabulate all reports of different committees constituted from time to time with regards to mitigation of disasters and thereafter effects and also underlined the need to make government offices like the Delhi Secretariat and Police Headquarters, earthquake-resistant through retrofitting.  Kejriwal underlined that once all reports were collated and compiled along with the actions taken on them so far, the future course of action may be decided.  It was agreed that the Divisional Commissioner, who is also the Nodal Officer and Convenor of DDMA, will undertake this exercise and put it up for consideration and further directions of the DDMA in its next meeting. IANS

Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) holds 38th meeting to address earthquake preparedness and H3N2 flu in the city.

DDMA discusses preparedness for earthquake, prevailing H3N2 Flu situation

New Delhi: The 38th meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) held on Saturday discussed the preparedness for any earthquake in the city and the ongoing H3N2 Flu situation. The meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Lt. Governor V.K. Saxena. Vice Chairman of DDMA, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Revenue Minister Kailash Gehlot apart from the Chief Secretary, Special Commissioner (Police), Divisional Commissioner, Secretary (Health), VC, DDA, Commissioner MCD and top representatives of Army, NDMA, NIDM, National Institute of Seismology and all District Magistrates were present in the meeting. Held in the wake of the disastrous earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, the meeting took stock of the preparedness and deliberated upon charting and augmenting the way forward, in case of an earthquake in the city which fell in the 'High Damage Risk Zone IV' on the seismic map of India. The prevalent situation of H3N2 Flu, H1N1 Flu and Covid-19 were also discussed in the meeting. Stressing that disasters did not give prior information before manifesting themselves, the Lt. Governor emphasised upon the need to be completely prepared to face eventuality, even if it entailed erring on the side of caution. Recounting his experience of the Gujarat earthquake that had caused widespread destruction, Saxena said that Delhi needed to be fully prepared to handle any disaster and preparations to this effect should be put in place from today (Saturday) itself. The Lt. Governor asked for retrofitting of all schools, hospitals, police stations, other critical government offices and vulnerable buildings especially in the 'Special Area' and old Delhi localities, according to the Earthquake Resilient Building Code. He also asked to identify open spaces across the Capital for rescue operations in the event of an earthquake and also the hospital at the level of every District and Sub Division for emergency response. Saxena said that works should be started on the same in a time-bound manner. The Chief Minister stressed upon the need to compile and tabulate all reports of different committees constituted from time to time with regards to mitigation of disasters and thereafter effects and also underlined the need to make government offices like the Delhi Secretariat and Police Headquarters, earthquake-resistant through retrofitting. Kejriwal underlined that once all reports were collated and compiled along with the actions taken on them so far, the future course of action may be decided. It was agreed that the Divisional Commissioner, who is also the Nodal Officer and Convenor of DDMA, will undertake this exercise and put it up for consideration and further directions of the DDMA in its next meeting. —IANS

 The 38th meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) held on Saturday discussed the preparedness for any earthquake in the city and the ongoing H3N2 Flu situation.

DDMA Discusses Preparedness For Earthquake, Prevailing H3N2 Flu Situation

Lucknow: Amid the rising concerns about the H3N2 influenza, the Uttar Pradesh government will kickstart a drive to prevent the spread of diseases like meningitis and the H3N2 virus across the state.
According to an official statement, on the instructions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Directorate of Urban Bodies has issued directions to all Municipal Commissioners, General Manager Jalkal Department, and executive officers/officers in charge of all Municipal Councils in connection with the special campaign, which is scheduled to kick off from April 1 to control communicable diseases, and the Dastak campaign.
The department has issued guidelines for time-bound action in relation to the spread of meningitis and the H3N2 virus. "Notably, the Yogi government will launch a special campaign against infectious diseases like encephalitis, dengue, chikungunya, malaria and kala-azar in all 75 districts of the state from April 1. The Communicable Disease Control Campaign is run in three phases every year. This year, the campaign's first phase will end on April 30," the statement said.
The government is also preparing to tackle the challenge of infectious and water-borne diseases through the 'Dastak' drive. In the guidelines issued by Neha Sharma, director of the Directorate of Urban Bodies, it has been said that the elected public representatives of the urban bodies and mohalla monitoring committees should be informed about meningitis and other vector-borne and water-borne diseases as well as diseases related to hot weather (heat-related).
"Apart from this, fogging will be done in urban areas (all bodies) whereas intensive vector control and sensitization activities will be conducted at the places mentioned in the list of high-risk areas provided by the Health Department. Together with this, the bye-law governing legal action will also have to be enacted against the persons/institutions generating mosquito-borne circumstances," it said.
The statement further said that an awareness campaign is suggested to be run in the urban areas to promote environmental and personal hygiene measures, no open defecation, use of pure drinking water and prevention of mosquitoes and prevention and control of AES / JE and other infectious diseases.
"Instructions have also been given to regularly check OT tests, bacteriological and viral tests, chemical tests, H25 tests, etc. for the quality of pure drinking water," it added.&nbsp;&nbsp;
—ANI

Amid the rising concerns about the H3N2 influenza, the Uttar Pradesh government will kickstart a drive to prevent the spread of diseases like meningitis and the H3N2 virus across the state.

The Hawk

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H3N2 Flu Virus On Rise, IMA Advises Against Antibiotic Use

Sunil Aswal

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H3N2 Flu Virus On Rise, IMA Advises Against Antibiotic Use

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