Gandhinagar: There is a steady rise in the cases of H3N2 subtype of seasonal influenza across the country. Meanwhile, three cases of this virus have also been reported in Gujarat. Along with this, 77 cases of H1N1 i.e. Swine Flu have also been found. One has died due to this. This has been confirmed by Gujarat Health Minister Hrishikesh Patel on Saturday.
Hrishikesh Patel, sharing information about influenza, said, “As on March 10, there are three H3N2 cases and 77 H1N1 cases in the state. There has been one death in the state so far which is due to H1N1.
The Center on Saturday expressed concern over the gradual increase in the Covid-19 infection rate in some states amid a rise in H3N2 cases and said it needed to be dealt with immediately. The Center requested all states and union territories to follow the guidelines for integrated surveillance of respiratory diseases presenting as influenza-like illness (ILI) or severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) cases. States have also been requested to take stock of hospital preparedness such as availability of medicines and medical oxygen, vaccination against COVID-19 and influenza.
Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan has said in a letter to the states and union territories on Saturday, “Though the cases of Kovid-19 are decreasing in the last few months, the Kovid-19 infection rate is increasing in some states. There has been a gradual increase which is an issue of concern and should be dealt with expeditiously.
Bhushan said that despite the low number of new cases, reduction in the number of hospitalized patients and significant progress in the matter of Kovid-19 vaccination, there is a need to be vigilant.
He said that the focus should be on detection, treatment and vaccination and COVID appropriate behavior needs to be followed. In view of the increasing trend in other ILIs and SARIs in some States and Union Territories across the country, a meeting was held recently to review the current situation with the Central Ministries, Departments and concerned organizations.
He added, “Influenza (H3N2) is of particular concern in the samples being analyzed in various laboratories. It should also be kept in mind that children, elderly people and people with serious illnesses are at higher risk of H1N1, H3N2.
Bhushan has said in the letter that to prevent the spread of these diseases, it is necessary to make people aware of cleanliness.
It is worth mentioning that on Friday, the Central Government held a review meeting, in which it was said that the government is closely monitoring the influenza situation in the country and monitoring the H3N2 sub-types . Along with this, it has been said that there will be a decrease in the cases of influenza by the end of March.
As per the latest data available on the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) and the Integrated Health Information Platform IHIP, a total of 3,038 cases of different sub-types of influenza including H3N2 have been confirmed by the states till March 9. This includes 1245 cases in January, 1307 in February and 486 in March so far.
According to IDSP-IHIP data, during the month of January this year, a total of 3,97,814 cases of Acute Respiratory Illness/Influenza Like Illness (ARI/ILI) were reported from the country. Whereas, 4,36,523 cases came during February. At the same time, 1,33,412 cases were registered in the first nine days of March.
At the same time, 7,041 patients of severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) were admitted in January, 6,919 in February and 1,866 in the first nine days of March.
According to government figures, a total of 955 cases of H1N1 have been reported till the end of February this year. The maximum number of cases were reported in Tamil Nadu (545). It was followed by Maharashtra (170), Gujarat (74), Kerala (42) and Punjab (28).
