H3N2, Covid-19, and swine flu-related virus illnesses are currently rising in India.

Real-time surveillance by the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) shows that 955 cases of H1N1, usually referred to as swine flu, had been reported by states till February 28. According to a recent health ministry announcement, most H1N1 cases have been reported in Tamil Nadu with 545 issues; Maharashtra and Gujarat recorded 170 cases, Kerala saw 42 viral cases while Punjab reported 28 instances.

Data from health facilitie′s IDSP-IHIP (integrated health information platform) revealed 3.97 lakh instances of acute respiratory illness/influenza-like illness (ARI/ILI) cases reported from the country during the month of January, which rose to 4.36 lakh cases during the following month.

All influenza viruses, including swine flu, influenza A subtype H3N2, and Covid-19, are primarily transmitted through virus droplets. Another senior physician stated that using a mask can help lower the danger of illness brought on by them.

The ministry stated that currently H3N2 was predominating which is evident from the fact that roughly 79% of samples taken from people with SARI or ILI showed presence of H3N2virus. The second most frequent viral subtype is Influenza B Victoria (14%), a subtype of Influenza B, while the third most frequent virus subtype is Influenza A H1N1, widely known as swine flu (7%).

More recently, several regions of the nation have seen an increase in Covid cases. In Delhi, for instance, 13 out of 401 samples tested positive for Covid, resulting in a positivity rate of 3.24%.

Rajesh Bhushan, the union health secretary, asked that a survey of hospital readiness be conducted, including a look at things like the availability of medications and medical oxygen as well as the level of influenza and COVID-19 immunization coverage as preventive measures.

(Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/viral-woes-surge-in-cases-due-to-h3n2-covid-h1n1/articleshow/98641342.cms?from=mdr)