India reports first two H3N2 deaths; 1 each from Haryana, Karnataka

India today confirmed its first two deaths due to seasonal influenza subtype H3N2, commonly called Hong Kong flu, with one each in Karnataka and Haryana states.

According to the Indian health ministry, cases are expected to decline from this month-end, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

H3N2 is the predominant sub-type among the samples testing positive for influenza since the beginning of this year, the ministry said in a statement.

The authorities are keeping a close watch on morbidity and mortality due to the H3N2 subtype of the seasonal influenza as young children and aged persons with comorbidities are the most vulnerable groups to seasonal influenza.

"So far, Karnataka and Haryana have confirmed one death each from H3N2 influenza," said the ministry statement.

In Karnataka, an 82-year-old man succumbed to H3N2 virus in Hassan district of Karnataka in the South.

According to the District Health Officer of Hassan, Hire Gowda died due to the virus on March 1. Gowda was diabetic and suffered from hypertension as well.

In Haryana, a 56-year-old cancer patient who died on March 8 had also contacted the virus in January this year. However, identity of the deceased could not be known.

H3N2 is a seasonal influenza and an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses which circulate in all parts of the world and the cases are seen to increase during certain months globally, according to the ministry.

India every year witnesses two peaks of seasonal influenza: one from January to March and other in post-monsoon season, it said.

Health officers in states are fully geared to meet this public health challenge through a real time surveillance through countrywide network of labs.

A near real time surveillance of cases of Influenza like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) presenting in OPDs and IPDs of health facilities is undertaken by Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

According to the latest data available on integrated health Information Platform, a total of 3,038 laboratory-confirmed cases of various subtypes of Influenza including H3N2 have been reported till March 9 this year.

The data for hospitalized cases of severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) is 7041 cases in January, 6919 during February and 1866 in the first nine days of March.