Karnataka government calls high-level meeting over Influenza A subtype ‘H3N2’

In response to a chronic cough that has been sweeping over India for the past two to three months and is occasionally accompanied by fever, the Karnataka government is on high alert and has called a high-level meeting of experts.

The Karnataka government on Sunday said a meeting has been held with the health department officials and experts on March 6, to deliberate on the preventive measures to be implemented about the spread of Influenza A subtype ‘H3N2’. He informed the media that as of right now, no such cases have been documented in Karnataka, but that one of the signs is a persistent cough.

At tomorrow’s conference, specialists will discuss what actions to do when such situations are reported and what therapeutic strategies to implement. The Centre’s guidelines will be followed.

Influenza is to blame for the persistent cough that has been plaguing India for the past two to three months, which is occasionally accompanied by fever. H3N2 subtype, according to specialists from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). According to ICMR experts who closely monitor illnesses brought on by respiratory viruses through the network of Virus Research and Diagnostic Labs, the H3N2, which has been in widespread circulation for the past two to three months, causes more hospitalisations than other subtypes.

Also, they have offered a list of dos and don’ts that people can adhere to in order to prevent exposure to the virus. In contrast, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has cautioned against the indiscriminate use of antibiotics in light of the country’s rising rates of cough, cold, and nausea. It was stated that seasonal fever will last five to seven days. According to the IMA’s Standing Committee for Anti-Microbial Resistance, the cough might last up to three weeks but the fever disappears after three days.

In the past 24 hours, 79 new instances of Covid have been found in Bengaluru, and Karnataka has recorded 95 new cases. After 100 days, the state and Bengaluru have both seen an increase in corona cases. The state’s Department of Health has issued information showing that there are currently 391 active Covid cases, and the positive rate has increased to 2.44 percent. The experts advise people to avoid those who have cough, cold, or fever symptoms. Also, it has been suggested that people use masks when in public.