Calay News
India has recently reported the first deaths due to the H3N2 flu virus. Two people, one each from Karnataka and Haryana, have died due to this subtype of influenza A. The government has confirmed that around 90 cases of the virus have been detected across the country.
Influenza viruses, which cause flu, are categorized into four types: A, B, C, and D. Influenza A is further classified into subtypes, and one of them is the H3N2 virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States, the H3N2 virus caused the 1968 flu pandemic that claimed the lives of around one million people globally and about 100,000 in the US.
A 2020 study published in the journal Nature Communications revealed that the virus strains have evolved dramatically in the last five decades as people born in the late 1960s and 1970s got infected with it as children.
The symptoms of H3N2 flu are similar to those of any other flu, including cough, fever, body ache, headache, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and extreme fatigue. Very few cases have seen nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
In India, health officials are taking measures to prevent the spread of H3N2. The public has been urged to follow basic hygiene practices such as washing hands frequently, covering their nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing, and avoiding close contact with infected individuals.
Additionally, the government is monitoring the situation and has issued guidelines for hospitals and healthcare professionals on the diagnosis and treatment of H3N2 flu cases.
People who experience flu-like symptoms are advised to seek medical attention immediately. The prompt diagnosis and treatment of H3N2 flu can help prevent severe complications and reduce the risk of mortality.
The recent deaths due to the H3N2 virus in India have raised concerns about the spread of this flu subtype. However, with the government’s efforts to monitor the situation and the public’s adherence to basic hygiene practices, the spread of the virus can be contained.
