HASSAN: Amid the scare of H3N2 viral infections, Karnataka has witnessed the first death due to the disease, with the victim identified as a 78-year-old man from Alur taluk in the district.
The deceased had been suffering from fever, cough and throat pain. He was admitted to a hospital on February 24 and succumbed on March 1, according to health officials. The victim was diabetic and also suffered from hypertension, they added.
Meanwhile, another death has been reported in Haryana, but details were not immediately available.
As of Monday (March 6), 26 cases of H3N2 infections had been detected in the state. The guidelines issued by the state Health Department say that the virus is contagious and the infection will persist for about 5-7 days with minimal morbidity and mortality. The high risk population includes infants, elderly, pregnant women, those with immunodeficient conditions and on long-term medication, particularly steroids. The symptoms include fever, chills, loss of appetite, body aces, nausea, sneezing and prolonged dry cough, it said.
Since children aged below 15 years are more susceptible to H3N2 infection, medical experts advise that infected children should not be sent to school and it can spread to others very quickly. Body temperature may rise up to 103 degrees Fahrenheit, but parents should not get worried and should follow medical advise, they said.
Precautions
- Frequently wash hands with water and soap.
- Wear mask.
- Do not go to crowded public places.
- Do not touch your nose and mouth frequently.
- Drink more water.
- If you have fever or bodyache, consult a doctor.
In view of increasing cases of seasonal flu, (usually diagnosed as Influenza-A H1N1, H3N2, Influenza-B, RSV and Adeno Virus infections), all district health officers have been asked to ensure:
- Regular ILI/SARI surveillance with appropriate sample collection for diagnosis and reporting of the same on IDSP-IHIP portal.
- Sufficient stock of all required doses of Tab Oseltamivir for treatment and PPE for use by Health care workers at all the health facilities.
- All health care workers working in high risk areas like ICU and isolation wards should be vaccinated with flu vaccine.
- Compulsory wearing of face mask by all health care workers at health facilities, both public and private.
- All SARI death cases with Covid-negative test report should be subjected to panel of tests at the nearest Virus Research & Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL).
- Creating awareness amongst public regarding the symptomatic management of the seasonal flu and to avoid self-medication and unnecessary use of antibiotics.