Besides Covid-19 and its variant XBB.1.16, H3N2 influenza is also fast spreading in the country. The Government on Tuesday told Rajya Sabha that 1,317 cases of H3N2 have been reported from January 1 to March 21. In the meantime, India has logged 1,573 fresh coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, while the active cases have increased to 10,981, according to Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday. The death toll has increased to 5,30,841 with four deaths reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated.
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), of the 510 H3N2 cases reported through ILI/SARI surveillance in the last two months, 19 patients required ICU admission, Pawar said in a written reply.
As reported by the ICMR, the influenza working group of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization is reviewing the data for seasonal influenza vaccination, she added.
Pawar added that the Union Health Ministry is monitoring the situation and has taken several steps to support the states for management of influenza cases, including H3N2. These include issuing an advisory requesting all the states and Union Territories to take necessary steps such closely following the trend of ILI/SARI (influenza-like illness/severe acute respiratory illness) in their respective areas.
