Bhubaneswar: As many as 59 H3N2 influenza cases have been detected in Odisha so far, amid a rise in cases of the seasonal influenza subtype in different parts of the country.
This information was reportedly shared by Director of Bhubaneswar-based Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), Sanghamitra Pati.
Sources said a total of 225 samples had been collected and tested during January and February. Of these, a total of 59 samples were found positive for H3N2 influenza.
The H3N2 virus is a subtype of Influenza A. Infected persons have high fever, severe headache, body pain, sore throat, severe cough, cold and congestion in the lungs.
These cases were detected in Odisha even as the Centre on Saturday expressed concern over a gradual increase in the Covid-19 positivity rate in some states and said it needed to be promptly addressed amid rising H3N2 influenza cases.
The Centre has requested all states and Union territories to follow operational guidelines for integrated surveillance of respiratory pathogens presenting as cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) or severe acute respiratory infection (SARI).
Sources said amid spurt in H3N2 cases the Odisha government issued an advisory. People have been advised to wear masks, use handkerchiefs while sneezing drink plenty of water.
It may be noted that two persons, one from Haryana and another in Karnataka, have died of influenza caused by the H3N2 virus, sources said.
As per reports, over 90 cases of the H3N2 virus have been reported in the country. As many as eight cases of the H1N1 virus have also been detected.
