This monsoon Influenza A subtype H3N2 has surpassed the two most dangerous viruses H1NI(swine flu) and Sars-CoV2(virus responsible for causing the Corona pandemic) is a clear dominator this monsoon. It’s another companion Influenza B’s sublineage Victoria is behind some cases across the country.
As per data collected from the hospitals reflect that most of the patients hospitalized are infected with H3N2 virus. Though, the number of deaths reported are not high but cases may increase exceptionally as per doctors. On Saturday, 100 patients suffering from flu were admitted in Maharashtra’s government hospital. According to a report from the health department till now total cases confirmed in labs is 1540 out of which 900 were of H3N2. The positivity rate of flu has increased to 19% from 6% in April and May respectively.
Dr Varsha Potdar, head of the influenza group at the National Institute of Virology, Pune said, “It is undeniably the dominant virus type this season.” H1N1 and H3N2 can cause mild to severe diseases, “Therefore, maintaining continuous surveillance and ensuring widespread vaccination is crucial,” further added the doctor. When asked about the high prevalence of the H3N2 virus she said it could be linked to people’s immunity as major population has been exposed to Covid-19 and vaccinated against it and H1N1 circulated last year. She revealed that type A virus(H1N1 and H3N2) has pandemic-causing potential.
H3N2 is the sole reason behind the 1968 pandemic that claimed nearly a million lives. As per the doctors only measure to stay ahead is to be vaccinated. H3N2 may have dominated the other virus but it doesn’t have the potential to cause major destruction. Mostly all the patients have recovered leaving a few whose condition is critical.
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