INFLUENZA A H3N2 VIRUS - SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

News: ICMR has told that rising cases of cough and fever linked to influenza subtype A H3N2

 

What is in the news?

       Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) announced that the recent uptick in the cases of intense cough lasting for over a week coupled with fever, in several parts of India, can be linked to the Influenza A subtype H3N2 virus.

       India has recorded deaths of two people, one each in Karnataka and Haryana, due to the Influenza A subtype H3N2 virus.

 

H3N2 Virus:

       Influenza viruses, which cause the infectious disease known as flu, are of four different types: A, B, C and D.

       Influenza A is further classified into different subtypes and one of them is the H3N2.

       According to the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), H3N2 caused the 1968 flu pandemic that led to the death of around one million people globally and about 100,000 in the US.

 

Symptoms:

       Its symptoms are similar to that of any other flu.

       They include cough, fever, body ache and headache, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose and extreme fatigue.

       Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea have been seen in very few cases.

 

Infectious Period:

       According to the Indian Medical Association (IMA), an infection caused by H3N2 generally lasts for five to seven days and the fever starts going away after three days.

       However, the coughing can persist for up to three weeks.

 

Vulnerable Group:

       As per the IMA, this virus usually preys on individuals below the age of 15 years or above 50 years of age.

       Children and those with co-morbidities like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, weakened immune systems and neurological or neurodevelopmental conditions are at a higher risk.

 

Prevention:

       Self-hygiene is the best way to thwart the spread of H3N2.

       Washing hands before eating or touching your face, nose or mouth, carrying pocket sanitizer, and avoiding people already infected with the virus or any other seasonal flu are some of the steps.