India: One dies of H1N1 infection in Gujarat, 77 more cases reported so far

Amid a sharp surge in H3N2 virus cases in the country, the Gujarat health minister Rushikesh Patel on Saturday said that the state has reported one death due to H1N1, adding that no death has been reported due to H3N2 till March 10 in the state.

"There are three H3N2 cases in the state till March 10. There has been one death in the state till now which is due to H1N1," Patel said while addressing a press conference here on the situation of seasonal influenza in the state.

He further said that 77 cases of H1N1 have been reported so far in Gujarat.

"There is no need to panic as the government is working round the clock to ensure people's safety. We are monitoring it," he added.

According to the Union Health Ministry Karnataka and Haryana have confirmed one death each from H3N2 influenza so far.

H3N2 has been the dominant subtype followed by H1N1. Both these subtypes belong to Influenza 'A' type.

However, the Union Ministry of Health on Friday said that the cases arising from seasonal influenza including H3N2 which has claimed one death each in Haryana and Karnataka are expected to decline from March end.

"India every year witnesses two peaks of seasonal influenza: one from January to March and the other in the post-monsoon season. The cases arising from seasonal influenza are expected to decline from March end," the Union Health Ministry said in a press release.

Seasonal influenza is an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses that circulate in all parts of the world, and the cases are seen to increase during certain months globally.

It further said that 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 IDSP-IHIP (integrated health Information Platform), a total of 3038 laboratory-confirmed cases of various subtypes of Influenza including H3N2 have been reported till March 9 by the States. This includes 1245 cases in January 1307 in February and 486 cases till March 9.

Young children and old age persons with co-morbidities are the most vulnerable groups in the context of seasonal influenza.

It has also advised the state governments to vaccinate healthcare workers dealing with H1N1 cases.

However, according to the ministry, Oseltamivir is the drug recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for curing the infection.

"The drug is made available through the Public Health System free of cost. The government has allowed the sale of Oseltamivir under Schedule H1 of the Drug and Cosmetic Act in February 2017 for wider accessibility and availability," it said.

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