Of nearly 1,000 cases of H3N2 in Karnataka, most are from Bengaluru

BENGALURU: Amid rising Covid-19 cases, an increase in the H3N2 influenza virus infections have also been noticed across the state, with the highest number being reported from Bengaluru. Nearly 1,000 cases of H3N2 have bee detected in just five days in the state and it is spreading in the districts, becoming a matter of concern.

So far in March, about 89 cases of H3N2 have been reported in Bengaluru. The Health Department revealed that the rate of infection will double in next 10 days. Karnataka witnessed the first H3N2 death on March 1 of an 82-year-old man from Alur taluk in Hassan district who had comorbidities.

Across the state, about 944 people have tested positive for H3N2 from January to March 21. About 621 cases of Influenza A and 62 cases of Influenza B have been registered in Bengaluru, taking the total number to 683.

Among the districts, the total cases registered are 683 in Bengaluru, 51 in Udupi, 36 in Mysuru, 20 cases in Ballari, 19 in Davanagere, 23 in Dharwad, 12 in Uttara Kannada, one case each in Bagalkot and Kalaburagi, eight cases each in Belagavi and Chikkamagaluru, seven each in Bangaluru Rural, Dakshina Kannada and Gadag, two cases each in Chamarajanagar and Chikkaballapur, five in Chitradurga, four cases each in Hassan, Tumakuru and Haveri, three in Kolar, two in Koppal, six in Mandya, 17 cases in Shivamogga, and nine cases in Vijayapura.