H3N2 Influenza: Odisha Govt Advises People To Follow Covid-19 Guidelines

Bhubaneswar: With 59 H3N2 influenza cases detected in Odisha, the state government on Saturday advised the people to adopt precautions and adhere to the guidelines issued for Covid-19.

Public Health Director Niranjan Mishra said that H3N2 symptoms are similar to those found in Covid-19 cases. However, there is no need to panic and people should take precautions.

Stating that the symptoms include fever, cough, cold, throat pain and headache, he said severe cases could be dangerous, particularly for people with comorbidities and low immunity.

There is no definitive treatment available for the H3N2 influenza.  As a precautionary step, people should strictly adhere to Covid-19 guidelines, Mishra said.

People have also been advised to wear masks and use handkerchiefs while sneezing, besides drinking plenty of water and fluid. If necessary, people with sever symptoms should keep themselves in isolation.

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.

The health official’s advice comes in the wake of RMRC Director Dr Sanghamitra Pati confirming the detection of 59 H3N2 influenza cases in the state.

Amid a rise in cases of the seasonal influenza subtype H3N2, the Centre has also expressed concern over a gradual increase in the Covid-19 positivity rate in some states and said it needed to be promptly addressed.

The Centre 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).

The states were also requested to take a stock of hospital preparedness such as availability of drugs and medical oxygen, vaccination coverage against Covid-19 and influenza.

It may be noted that two persons, one each from Haryana and Karnataka, have died of influenza caused by the H3N2 virus, sources said.