Another virus of concern

Even before India could fully recover from the damage caused by the highly infectious COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), the H3N2 influenza virus has stirred concerns among the medical fraternity. There has been a sudden surge of cough and flu among the masses in various states like Karnataka, Haryana and West Bengal. According to the scientists of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the majority of these cases of flu are primarily due to the H3N2 Virus. The first lethal case of the H3N2 Virus was reported in an 87-year-old man from Karnataka’s Hassan district and he died on March 1,2023. Incidentally, the first case of death due to Covid-19 was also reported in Karnataka on March 12,2020. One major difference is that COVID-19 was caused by SARS CoV-2 virus while H3N2 is a subtype of influenza virus, pointed out doctors. The symptoms of the H3N2 include –persistent persistent cough, sometimes accompanied by fever, running through India for the past two-three months is due to Influenza A subtype H3N2. physicians also pointed out that H3N2 virus won’t affect the lungs much. Medical sources informed that H3N2 virus normally circulates in pigs and then infects humans. “Viruses that normally circulate in pigs are “swine influenza viruses.” When these viruses infect humans, they are termed “variant” viruses,” explains the US Centre for Disease Control(CDC).According to medical sources, the H3N2 virus was first detected in pigs in 2010. It was first detected in people in 2011. In the next year, the H3N2 subtype of influenza A virus outbreak was reported at several places. The key to stopping the spread of the H3N2 virus is to restrict human to human interaction when one starts showing symptoms of infection. It has also been advised to avoid making human contacts with someone who shows flu symptoms. Those showing symptoms of the flu are also advised to remain indoors and go out only if it is totally unavoidable. Those showing initial symptoms of the flu are also advised to consult medical doctors for taking medicines. People who are older than 65 years of age, women who are pregnant, children younger than five years and those with long-term health conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, weakened immune systems, and neurological or neuro developmental conditions are at a higher risk of H3N2 infection.However, while the symptoms of H3N2 flu seem like the other flu symptoms, the H3N2 virus is recognised as a global concern. It is because the H3N2 virus can cause severe complications like pneumonia which require intense hospital care and negligence can lead to death. As per the US CDC this virus spreads more easily to humans than other influenza viruses. Also since viruses are always changing, it might be getting easier for these H3N2 viruses to spread easily from humans to humans.”Studies conducted by CDC and others have indicated that children born after 2001 (age =9 years at 2010) have little to no immunity against H3N2v viruses. Adults seem to have more immunity, perhaps because they might have been previously exposed to similar viruses in their lifetimes,” the US CDC says.