New Delhi:The incidence of H3N2 virus flu is expected to decrease from the end of this month. The surveillance work has been stepped up to meet this public health challenge,” said the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Information released by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in this regard: The Union Ministry of Health has carried out intensive surveillance work in various states and union territories through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program regarding seasonal viral fever. The Ministry of Health is actively monitoring H3N2 flu, co-morbidities and fatalities.
Young children and the elderly with co-morbidities are more susceptible to this seasonal viral fever. Karnataka and Haryana have so far confirmed one death each due to H3N2 flu.
This viral infection increases globally during certain months. In India, the incidence of flu reaches its peak during the two seasons. After the monsoon season and from January to March, the incidence of flu in India increases every year. This seasonal viral fever is expected to subside from the end of March. Surveillance efforts have been stepped up to address this public health challenge.
Public health measures: The Union Health Ministry has issued guidelines to the state governments including classification of patients and treatment methods. These guidelines are also published on the website of the Ministry of Health www.mohfw.nic.in and the website of the National Center for Disease Control www.ncdc.gov.in.
The drug Oseltamivir is recommended by the World Health Organization for this fever. This medicine is made available free of charge at public health centres.
NITI Aayog has arranged an inter-ministerial meeting on March 11, 2023 to hold consultations on this flu. The central government has informed that the meeting will be held on the nature of the spread of flu in various states and the assistance to be given to the states in this regard.
