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India's Influenza Season Intensifies

March 29, 2023 • 2:13 am CDT
India Ministry of Health and Family Welfare March 2023
(Precision Vaccinations News)

While the annual flu season in the United States has subsided, India's government reports an unusual influenza surge.

PTI reported today Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar informed the Rajya Sabha that 1,317 cases of H3N2 have been confirmed from January to March 21, 2023.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, of 510 H3N2 cases reported in the last two months, 19 patients required ICU admission, Pawar wrote to PTI on March 28, 2023.

The H3N2 virus spreads from an infected person through droplets in the air or direct contact with virus-laden surfaces, says the U.S. CDC.

The severity of human illness caused by H3N2 is similar to seasonal flu, which can become severe if complications like pneumonia develop.

Another influenza version is called 'swine flu.'

H3N2v is a non-human influenza virus that normally circulates in pigs. Viruses that normally circulate in pigs are "swine influenza viruses." When these viruses infect humans, they are termed "variant" viruses, says the CDC. Furthermore, the seasonal flu shot does not protect against H3N2v. 

The CDC's FluView Interactive Novel Flu A digital tool displays the most current case counts for variant virus infections reported in the U.S.

Previously, India's government confirmed that young children and old persons with co-morbidities are the most vulnerable groups in seasonal influenza.

Seasonal influenza is an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses that circulate in all parts of the world, and the cases are seen to increase during certain months globally.

The cases arising from seasonal influenza in India are expected to decline by the end of March 2023.

The World Health Organization published Influenza Update N° 401 on March 20, 2023, stating most indicators of influenza activity in the Northern Hemisphere decreased to levels similar to or below levels typically observed this time of year.

In the U.S., annual flu shots remain available at many clinics and community pharmacies.

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