India has confirmed its first two deaths due to the H3N2 seasonal influenza subtype, with 82-year-old Hire Gowda from Karnataka and a 56-year-old lung cancer patient from Haryana. The virus is a non-human influenza virus that normally circulates in pigs and has infected humans with symptoms similar to seasonal flu viruses. The Ministry of Health is closely monitoring the situation, and cases are expected to decline from month end.

Dr. Tarun Sahani, senior consultant in internal medicine at Apollo Hospitals, said that just 5% of instances had been found to require hospitalization.

Virologist Upasana Ray, a former member of the Indian National Young Academy of Science (INYAS) and the Global Young Academy (GYA), said everything should be alright if most affected persons recover. Long-term lockdowns and mask wear helped slow the spread of more dangerous virus strains but also limited exposure to seasonal respiratory viruses.

Dr. Anurag Agrawa, dean of Trivedi School of Biosciences at Ashoka University, stated that H3N2 is more severe than typical flu. But no big wave is anticipated due to the widespread availability of immunizations and the overall immunity to the flu, but all outbreaks and fatalities are cause for alarm.

Although the COVID pandemic appears to be ending, adults are still experiencing a wave of respiratory ailments, with a sizable proportion of them harboring influenza viruses like H3N2, adenovirus, and H1N1.

Up to March 9, the states reported 3,038 laboratory-confirmed cases of various influenza subtypes, including H3N2, according to the most recent information accessible on the IDSP-IHIP (Integrated Health Information Platform).

The Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) network allows the Union Health Ministry to monitor the seasonal influenza status in various states and UTs in real time.

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/increase-precaution-no-need-to-panic-experts-as-india-records-two-h3n2-virus-deaths/98560440)