At a time when the H3N2 virus is spreading across the country, the district health department has alerted the city too to be on vigil. Following confirmation of Jharkhand’s first case of influenza A virus with subtype H3N2, being treated at Tata Main Hospital, the administration has tightened its belt to deal with the situation.
Civil Surgeon Dr Jujhar Manjhi advised doctors to test patients who report fever symptoms for influenza as well. He said, “They should send swabs for testing. They should also give the treatment for viral fever, especially to children, pregnant women and those who have any comorbidity.”
He further said cold, fever and respiratory difficulties are symptoms of influenza. Many are apparently reporting respiratory difficulties when infected with fever these days. This can be due to influenza variants. Therefore, patients are advised to avoid self-medication.
Isolation wards equipped with ventilators and oxygen have been set up at two government hospitals, MGM Medical College Hospital and Sadar Hospital.
An isolation ward has also been set up at the private Tata Main Hospital, where a 66-year-old woman with cold and fever symptoms tested positive for H3N2 on Saturday.
According to health department officials, the elderly patient had no prior travel history. However, on getting tested positive she is being monitored in the isolation ward of Tata Main Hospital.
The first case of H3N2 influenza was reported in Jamshedpur, with the second case involving a four-year-old child in Ranchi.
Ranchi and West Singhbhum districts each reported two new Covid-19 cases on Saturday, while Deoghar registered one. According to a Covid bulletin issued by the state health department, East Singhbhum, and Latehar districts, each reported one case.
Officials from the health department stated that teams would be formed and directives would be sent to all hospitals today to conduct tests on suspected cases of H3N2 influenza and Covid- 19.
A health official said it's important to drink lots of boiled water, even when not thirsty. “Keep water with you while travelling. As per the instructions of the Disaster Management Authority, people have been asked to ensure they don't work outside between 11 am and 3 pm. "Don't subject yourself to direct sunlight and don't send kids out to play. Also, don't leave kids or others inside cars parked outside during hot weather. It will lead to discomfort. One should think that any illness you experience can also be due to the heat,” he said. Chickenpox and diarrhoea cases are on the rise.
H3N2 is a subtype of the Influenza A virus. It is a strain of the flu that can infect both humans and animals. H3N2 is also known as the Hong Kong flu, as it was first identified in Hong Kong in 1968. H3N2 is one of the most common strains of influenza that circulates during flu season. It can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, and fatigue. In some cases, it can lead to severe illness and even death, particularly in elderly individuals and those with weakened immune systems.
