Government Reports: Half of Respiratory Infection Cases in 2 Months Attributed to H3N2

An ICMR survey reveals that a significant portion, approximately 50 percent, of respiratory infection cases admitted to hospitals over a span of two months are attributed to H3N2 influenza, according to information provided by the government to the Lok Sabha. Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar stated in a written reply that between January 1 and March 20, a total of 1,161 cases of H3N2, a subtype of seasonal influenza virus, have been reported.

Prevalence and Symptoms

Most of the reported cases exhibited symptoms such as cough and fever, indicative of respiratory infection associated with H3N2.

Treatment Approach

Emphasizing the viral nature of H3N2 respiratory infection, Minister Pawar clarified that antibiotics are ineffective in its treatment. However, she noted that in some instances, bacterial infections may accompany respiratory infections, prompting physicians to prescribe antibiotics to address secondary bacterial infections.

Regional Distribution

Data provided by Minister Pawar indicates that Delhi reported the highest number of H3N2 cases (370), followed by Maharashtra (184), Rajasthan (180), and Karnataka (134).

Government Response and Monitoring

The Health Ministry has undertaken measures to monitor and manage the situation, extending support to states and Union Territories (UTs) in handling influenza cases, including H3N2. Initiatives include issuing advisories to closely track the trend of influenza-like illness (ILI) or severe acute respiratory infection (SARI). States and UTs have been instructed to monitor the proportion of SARI cases among all infection cases and to refer an adequate number of samples for testing for influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and other relevant pathogens.